Information output device, information output method, and program

Abstract

To enable owners or users of the property being maintained to take appropriate action regarding its maintenance. [Solution] The information output device comprises a first output unit and a second output unit. The first output unit acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, and using the type identification information, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the condition of the maintenance target, and outputs the first work information to the communication device. The second output unit acquires additional information generated during or after the first work, and using the additional information, acquires second work information indicating a second work that the owner or user of the maintenance target should perform in order to perform maintenance on the maintenance target, and outputs the second work information to the communication device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information output device, an information output method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] When maintenance of equipment or facilities is required, it is often handled by maintenance experts. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a server that performs the following processing. This server first refers to the received operation data of the washing and drying machine to obtain a factor determination unit that determines the cause of the abnormality occurring in the electrical equipment, and for each cause of the abnormality, refers to a notification database in which the notification destination of predetermined information for resolving the abnormality is associated, and selects a notification destination corresponding to the cause of the abnormality obtained by the factor determination unit 44 from a plurality of candidates. Then, this server notifies the terminal of the selected notification destination with the predetermined information, thereby notifying the person in charge of handling the abnormality of the predetermined information. In the notification database, the terminal of the user of the electrical equipment and the terminal of the maintenance staff in charge of repairing the electrical equipment are registered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to appropriately perform maintenance on the maintenance target, additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target is often required. However, the owner or user of the maintenance target may have little knowledge about the maintenance target, and as a result, may not be able to obtain the additional information and may not be able to perform the maintenance appropriately.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information output device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is A first output means that acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target using said type identification information, and outputs said first work information to a communication device, A second output means that acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, acquires second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target in order to perform the maintenance target using the additional information, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device, It is equipped with.

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is an information output method in which a computer, Type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target is obtained, first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target is obtained using said type identification information, and said first work information is output to the communication device. The system acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, uses the additional information to acquire second operation information indicating the second operation that the owner or user of the maintenance target should perform in order to perform the maintenance target, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure is a program for a computer, A first output means that acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target using said type identification information, and outputs said first work information to a communication device, A second output means that acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, acquires second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target in order to perform the maintenance target using the additional information, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device, Give it to hold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one example of this disclosure, the owner or user of the item to be serviced can easily obtain additional information about the item, and as a result, can properly perform maintenance on the item. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of the information output device described herein, along with an example of the operating environment for the information output device. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the first work information displayed by the communication device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the second work information displayed by the communication device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the second work information displayed by the communication device. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the second work information displayed by the communication device. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information output device. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by an information output device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In this disclosure, the drawings are associated with one or more embodiments. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

[0011] When maintenance on the maintenance target is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the information output device 10 is used together with the communication device 20. The communication device 20 is operated, for example, by the owner or user of the maintenance target. That is, the communication device 20 is used by a person who is not specialized in the maintenance of the maintenance target. The communication device 20 may be a fixed communication device, a tablet communication device, or a portable communication device such as a so-called smartphone. When the communication device 20 controls a display, this display may be a head-mounted display. In this case, the communication device 20 itself may be a head-mounted communication device. Further, the communication device 20 preferably has an imaging device.

[0012] The maintenance target is, for example, at least one of the following. · Electrical equipment. An example of electrical equipment is at least one of an air conditioner having a temperature control function, a refrigerator, a washing machine, an information processing device such as a personal computer, and a printer. · Automobile. Automobiles include at least one of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, an electric vehicle, a hybrid car, and a fuel cell vehicle. · Gas equipment. An example of gas equipment is at least one of a water heater and a gas stove. · Plumbing related to buildings. For example, at least one of the water supply system of the water supply and the drainage system of the sewer.

[0013] When maintenance of the maintenance target becomes necessary, for example, when a failure occurs in the maintenance target, additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target is often required in order to appropriately perform the maintenance of the maintenance target. The information output device 10 is used when the owner or user of the maintenance target acquires this additional information.

[0014] The additional information is, for example, at least one of the following. The images listed below are collectively referred to as the first image. · An error code displayed on a display of the maintenance target, or an image including the display on which this error code is displayed · An external image of the maintenance target · An image of the interior of the object to be maintained. For example, when the object to be maintained is an automobile, this image may be an image of the instrument panel or dashboard, or an image of the interior of the bonnet. · Measurement results such as voltage of specific parts of the object to be maintained

[0015] The information output device 10 includes a first output unit 110 and a second output unit 120, and can utilize the storage unit 130. The storage unit 130 stores various types of information used by the information output device 10. The storage unit 130 may be a part of the information output device 10 or may be located outside the information output device 10.

[0016] The first output unit 110 acquires type identification information that can identify the type of the object to be maintained, for example, model identification information that can identify the model of the object to be maintained. For example, the first output unit 110 acquires the type identification information from the communication device 20. Then, the first output unit 110 uses this type identification information to acquire first operation information indicating a first operation for obtaining additional information regarding the state of the object to be maintained. Then, the first output unit 110 outputs this first operation information to the communication device 20.

[0017] The type identification information may be text information indicating the model number or part number of the object to be maintained, or may include an image of the object to be maintained. Hereinafter, this image will be referred to as the first image. The first image may be an image of the exterior of the object to be maintained, or may be an image of an area where the model number or part number of the object to be maintained can be identified, for example, an image of at least one of a seal, barcode, and two-dimensional code indicating the model number or part number. Then, the first output unit 110 identifies the model number of the object to be maintained by processing the first image.

[0018] The first operation information includes, for example, information indicating at least one of the following. · Removal procedure of parts (for example, covers). For example, when the object to be maintained is an automobile, an example of this procedure is how to open the bonnet. • Matters that the owner or user should visually check. For example, the appearance of specific parts, information displayed on the screen, values ​​shown by measuring instruments, and the connection status of specific connectors.

[0019] The memory unit 130 stores first work information for each type of maintenance target. The first output unit 110 then retrieves the first work information corresponding to the acquired type identification information from the memory unit 130.

[0020] The first output unit 110 may acquire supplementary information indicating the status of the maintenance target, along with the maintenance identification information, for example from the communication device 20. This information may be, for example, information indicating a non-operating part of the maintenance target, or information displayed on the maintenance target's display (for example, an error code), and may be in text or image format. The first output unit 110 then uses this supplementary information to acquire the first work information.

[0021] For example, the memory unit 130 stores first work information for each combination of maintenance-specific information and supplementary information. The first output unit 110 then retrieves the first work information corresponding to the acquired combination of maintenance-specific information and supplementary information from the memory unit 130.

[0022] The second output unit 120 acquires additional information generated during or after the first operation from, for example, the communication device 20. The second output unit 120 then uses this additional information to acquire second operation information indicating the second operation. The second operation is the operation that the owner or user must perform in order to perform maintenance on the item to be serviced. The second output unit 120 then outputs this second operation information to the communication device 20.

[0023] The second work information is stored, for example, in the memory unit 130. The second output unit 120 classifies the additional information, for example, according to predetermined rules. This classification involves identifying maintenance factors, such as failure factors, that occurred in the maintenance target. The memory unit 130 also stores the second work information separately for each maintenance target and according to the classification results. The second output unit 120 then retrieves the second work information corresponding to the classification results of the additional information from the memory unit 130.

[0024] The second output unit 120 may perform this classification using a machine learning model. In this case, the memory unit 130 may store this machine learning model.

[0025] The additional information includes, for example, at least one of the following: • Images obtained during or after the first work is performed, showing at least one of the object being serviced and the person performing the first work. Hereinafter referred to as the second image. An example of a second image is an image of the inside of the object being serviced. The second image may also be a video. • Text information including results of visual inspection by the owner or user.

[0026] The second task includes, for example, at least one of the following: • Work to be performed by the owner or user on the item to be serviced. In this case, the second work information includes guidance for the second work, such as information showing the work procedure. The second work information may include at least one of images and videos, or may include link information to display them. • The second task involves the owner or user requesting maintenance on the item to be serviced from a specialist in that maintenance. In this case, the second task information includes the information necessary when requesting maintenance from a specialist. The specialist here refers to, for example, a person who performs maintenance on the item to be serviced as a job.

[0027] If the second task involves the owner or user requesting maintenance on the item to be serviced from a maintenance specialist, the second output unit 120 may use additional information to identify the necessary maintenance on the item. In this case, the second output unit 120 uses the identified maintenance to identify a specialist and includes information about this specialist in the second task information. The information about the specialist may include, for example, the specialist's contact information, but may also include the specialist's name.

[0028] The details of this maintenance are stored in the storage unit 130, for example, linked to the classification results of the additional information. The second output unit 120 then retrieves information from the storage unit 130 that indicates the details of this maintenance, such as information indicating maintenance factors such as failure causes.

[0029] Furthermore, the memory unit 130 stores information that allows for the identification of a specialist for each combination of maintenance target and maintenance content. This information that allows for the identification of a specialist includes, for example, the specialist's contact information, but may also include at least one of the specialist's name and area of ​​responsibility.

[0030] The second output unit 120 then identifies a specialist corresponding to the combination of the maintenance target and the maintenance details obtained from the storage unit 130, using the information stored in the storage unit 130, and reads the information of the identified specialist from the storage unit 130. The second output unit 120 then incorporates the read information into at least a part of the second work information.

[0031] Furthermore, if the second task involves the owner or user requesting maintenance of the item to be maintained from a maintenance specialist, the second output unit 120 may identify the specialist using location information relating to the location of the item to be maintained and include information about this specialist in the second task information. In this example as well, the information about the specialist may include, for example, the specialist's contact information, but may also include the specialist's name.

[0032] In this example, the memory unit 130 stores information that allows for the identification of specialists for each combination of maintenance target and maintenance content, and also stores information indicating the area of ​​responsibility for each specialist. The first output unit 110 or the second output unit 120 then obtains location information regarding the location of the maintenance target, for example, the address of the place where the maintenance target is located. The granularity of this address may be at the city / ward / town / village level, or it may be even finer. The second output unit 120 then identifies specialists whose area of ​​responsibility is included in this address.

[0033] The second output unit 120 may also identify the costs required for a specialist to perform maintenance and include these costs in the second work information. This cost information is stored, for example, in the storage unit 130, categorized by the type of maintenance target and maintenance factors. The second output unit 120 then uses the storage unit 130 to identify the costs.

[0034] Here, the second output unit 120 may increase or decrease the cost identified using the storage unit 130 based on other conditions. In this case, the cost required for maintenance may be set by dynamic pricing. Information regarding the other conditions is stored in the storage unit 130.

[0035] Other conditions mentioned above include, for example, whether or not it is peak season. In this case, costs will be higher during peak season. Another condition may be the availability of specialists in their schedules. In this case, costs will increase as the availability of specialists in their schedules decreases.

[0036] Figure 2 shows an example of first work information displayed by the communication device 20. In this example, the first work information shows the procedure for the first work in text. However, the first work information may also show this procedure as an image, or it may include link information to obtain this image.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of the second work information displayed by the communication device 20. In this example, the second work information shows in text the procedure for the work that the owner or user of the item to be serviced should perform on the item. However, the second work information may also show this procedure as an image, or it may include a link to obtain this image.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an example of the second work information displayed by the communication device 20. In this example, the second work information includes information necessary for the owner or user of the item to be serviced to request service from a specialist, such as a telephone number or a link to a website, indicating contact information.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example of the second work information displayed by the communication device 20. In this example, the second work information includes the details of the maintenance, the cost required for the maintenance, the name of the specialist in charge of the maintenance, and a button 22 for requesting maintenance. When the owner or user of the item to be maintained presses button 22, the communication device 20 transmits the information necessary to request maintenance to the information output device 10. The information output device 10 then processes the request for maintenance, for example, by displaying a screen for final confirmation of the maintenance details. Preferably, this screen also displays a button for formally requesting maintenance. In this case, when the owner or user presses this button, the communication device 20 and the information output device 10 process the request for formal acceptance of the maintenance.

[0040] The information output device 10 has a hardware configuration that includes, for example, a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060, as shown in Figure 6.

[0041] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0042] The 1020 processor is a processor implemented in components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0043] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0044] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as a removable media such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or memory card, or as ROM (Read Only Memory), and has a recording medium. The recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the information output device 10 (for example, the first output unit 110 and the second output unit 120). The processor 1020 reads these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module. The storage device 1040 may also function as a storage unit 130.

[0045] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the information output device 10 with various input / output devices. For example, the information output device 10 may communicate with the storage unit 130 via the input / output interface 1050.

[0046] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the information output device 10 to a network. This network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The method by which the network interface 1060 connects to the network may be wireless or wired. The information output device 10 may communicate with at least one of the communication device 20 and the storage unit 130 via the network interface 1060.

[0047] The information output device 10 operates as shown in Figure 7, for example. First, the user of the communication device 20 inputs type identification information into the communication device 20. The communication device 20 then transmits this type identification information to the information output device 10. At this time, the communication device 20 may also acquire supplementary information indicating the status of the item to be maintained and transmit it to the information output device 10 along with the type identification information.

[0048] The first output unit 110 of the information output device 10 acquires type identification information (step S10) and acquires first work information corresponding to this type identification information (step S20). If the first output unit 110 acquires supplementary information along with the type identification information, it acquires first work information corresponding to the combination of type identification information and supplementary information. The first output unit 110 then transmits the first work information to the communication device 20 (step S30).

[0049] When the communication device 20 acquires the first work information, it outputs the first work information. One example of this output is displaying it on a screen. The owner or user of the equipment to be serviced then performs the work according to the first work information and inputs additional information into the communication device 20. This input may also be done by taking a photograph. The communication device 20 transmits the additional information to the information output device 10.

[0050] The second output unit 120 of the information output device 10 acquires additional information (step S40), acquires second work information corresponding to this additional information (step S50), and transmits this second work information to the communication device 20 (step S60).

[0051] When the communication device 20 acquires the second work information, it outputs the second work information. One example of this output is displaying it on a screen. The owner or user of the item to be serviced then refers to the second work information and performs the second work, i.e., takes action on the item to be serviced. The second work may be, for example, performing maintenance on the item according to the second work information, or requesting maintenance from a specialist.

[0052] Thus, the information output device 10 outputs the first work information to the communication device 20 in order to allow the owner or user of the item to be maintained to recognize the first work information. The first work information indicates the first work to obtain additional information regarding the condition of the item to be maintained. Therefore, the owner or user of the item to be maintained can easily obtain the additional information.

[0053] Furthermore, when the information output device 10 obtains additional information from the communication device 20, it uses this additional information to obtain second work information and outputs it to the communication device 20. The second work information indicates the second work that the owner or user should perform in order to carry out maintenance on the item to be serviced. The second work is, for example, either performing maintenance on the item to be serviced oneself or requesting maintenance from a specialist. Therefore, the owner or user of the item to be serviced can take appropriate action regarding the maintenance of the item to be serviced.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure can be made as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0055] Furthermore, while the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in sequence, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are described. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that it does not impair the content.

[0056] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: 1. A first output means that acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target using said type identification information, and outputs said first work information to a communication device, A second output means that acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, acquires second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target in order to perform the maintenance target using the additional information, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device, An information output device equipped with the following features. 2. In the information output device described in item 1 above, The aforementioned type identification information includes a first image of the item to be maintained, provided by an information output device. 3. In the information output device described in 1 or 2 above, The information output device includes an image obtained during or after the first operation, which is an image of at least one of the object to be maintained and the person who performed the first operation. 4. In the information output device described in any one of items 1 to 3 above, The second operation includes the operation that the owner or user should perform on the item to be maintained, The second work information is an information output device that includes guidance for the second work. 5. In the information output device described in any one of items 1 to 3 above, The second operation includes the owner or user requesting the maintenance of the item to be maintained from a maintenance specialist, The second work information is an information output device that includes information necessary when requesting the maintenance to be performed by the specialist. 6. In the information output device described in item 5 above, The second output means is, Using the aforementioned additional information, identify the content of the maintenance required for the maintenance target, An information output device that identifies the expert using the details of the maintenance described above and includes information about the expert in the second work information. 7. In the information output device described in item 5 or 6 above, The second output means is an information output device that identifies the expert using location information relating to the location of the maintenance target and includes information about the expert in the second work information. 8. In the information output device described in any one of items 5 to 7 above, The second output means is an information output device that identifies the cost required for the expert to perform the maintenance and includes the cost in the second work information. 9. In the information output device described in any one of items 1 to 8 above, The first output means is an information output device that acquires supplementary information indicating the status of the maintenance target as at least part of the additional information, and acquires the first work information using the supplementary information. 10. In the information output device described in any one of items 1 to 9 above, The aforementioned communication device is an information output device capable of controlling a head-mounted display. 11. The computer, Type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target is obtained, first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target is obtained using said type identification information, and said first work information is output to the communication device. An information output method comprising: acquiring the additional information generated during or after the first operation; using the additional information to acquire second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target in order to perform the maintenance target; and outputting the second operation information to the communication device. 12. On the computer, A first output means that acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target using said type identification information, and outputs said first work information to a communication device, A second output means that acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, acquires second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target in order to perform the maintenance target using the additional information, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device, A program to give it a specific feature. 13. A recording medium on which the program described in item 12 above is recorded.

[0057] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 to 10, which are subordinate to Appendice 1 above, may be subordinate to any of Appendices 11 to 13 in the same way as Appendices 2 to 10. Moreover, not limited to Appendice 1 and Appendices 11 to 13, some or all of the configurations described as appendices may be subordinate to various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, without departing from the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10. Information output device 20 Communication equipment 110 First Output Section 120 Second Output Section 130 Storage section

Claims

1. A first output means that acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target using said type identification information, and outputs said first work information to a communication device, A second output means that acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, acquires second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target using the additional information, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device, An information output device equipped with the following features.

2. In the information output device according to claim 1, The aforementioned type identification information includes a first image of the item to be maintained, provided by an information output device.

3. In the information output device according to claim 1 or 2, The information output device includes an image obtained during or after the first operation, which is an image of at least one of the object to be maintained and the person who performed the first operation.

4. In the information output device according to claim 1 or 2, The second operation includes the operation that the owner or user should perform on the item to be maintained, The second work information is an information output device that includes guidance for the second work.

5. In the information output device according to claim 1 or 2, The second operation includes the owner or user requesting the maintenance of the item to be maintained from a maintenance specialist, The second work information is an information output device that includes information necessary when requesting the maintenance to be performed by the specialist.

6. In the information output device according to claim 5, The second output means is, Using the aforementioned additional information, identify the content of the maintenance required for the maintenance target, An information output device that identifies the expert using the details of the maintenance described above and includes information about the expert in the second work information.

7. In the information output device according to claim 5, The second output means is an information output device that identifies the expert using location information relating to the location of the maintenance target and includes information about the expert in the second work information.

8. In the information output device according to claim 5, The second output means is an information output device that identifies the cost required for the expert to perform the maintenance and includes the cost in the second work information.

9. Computers Type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target is obtained, first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target is obtained using said type identification information, and said first work information is output to the communication device. An information output method comprising: acquiring the additional information generated during or after the first operation; using the additional information to acquire second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target in order to perform the maintenance target; and outputting the second operation information to the communication device.

10. On the computer, A first output means that acquires type identification information that can identify the type of maintenance target, acquires first work information indicating a first work to obtain additional information regarding the state of the maintenance target using said type identification information, and outputs said first work information to a communication device, A second output means that acquires the additional information generated during or after the first operation, acquires second operation information indicating the second operation to be performed by the owner or user of the maintenance target using the additional information, and outputs the second operation information to the communication device, A program to give it a specific feature.

Images