Work support device, work support method, and work support program

Abstract

To provide a work support device, a work support method, and a work support program for safely and efficiently operating a plant.SOLUTION: A retrieving unit 141 acquires failure information about a failure that has occurred in a plant 1, and searches a database using the acquired failure information to extract a past similar case and work-related information related to a work performed in a similar case. A list generation unit 142 generates work support information for supporting a work of dealing with a failure based on the similar case and the work-related information extracted by the retrieving unit 141. A notification unit 15 provides the work support information generated by the list generation unit 142.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work assistance device, a work assistance method, and a work assistance program. [Background technology]

[0002] In various plants that use petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, gas, etc., safe operation of the plant is performed by operators, workers, etc. For example, the plant is operated by operators, etc. grasping the tendencies of the plant's operation based on actual plant measurements such as temperature and pressure obtained by various sensors such as temperature sensors and flow meters installed in the plant, and workers operating control devices such as valves and heaters installed in the plant.

[0003] If an abnormality occurs in such a plant, the plant workers will deal with the abnormality by performing appropriate operations according to the plant's condition, and strive to continue safe operation. For example, to resolve any abnormality that occurs in the plant, the workers will manually execute the following procedures:

[0004] The worker first estimates the cause. Next, the worker creates a correction procedure based on the estimated cause. Next, the worker performs the actual work according to the created correction procedure. After that, the worker and the plant manager review the manufacturing process and maintenance activities based on the work results.

[0005] Here, the construction of the above-mentioned correction procedure includes the following steps. For example, based on the estimated cause, the worker constructs the work procedure and work content from the past maintenance history of the target device and the manual provided by the manufacturer. Next, the worker estimates the equipment required for the work. Next, the worker estimates the time required for the work. Next, the worker considers the manufacturing plan and determines the date, time, and worker to perform the work.

[0006] In addition, the execution of work according to the established correction procedure includes the following steps. For example, the worker prepares equipment based on the established correction procedure. Next, the worker visits the work site and performs the correction work. After that, the worker records the details of the correction work.

[0007] As a system analysis technique, a technique has been proposed in which data is acquired from an external device according to an accumulated analysis procedure, data is analyzed, reference information is added to the analysis result and accumulated, and an analysis procedure is extracted according to the importance determined from the reference information to perform the analysis (for example, Patent Document 1). As a technique related to equipment maintenance, a technique has been proposed in which equipment required for equipment maintenance is searched for based on fault information, and whether or not the searched equipment is possessed is determined based on the equipment of a maintenance vehicle for performing equipment maintenance (for example, Patent Document 2). As a technique related to plant inspection work, a technique has been proposed in which a route between a worker's current location and a destination is searched for based on map data including information on installation and removal of temporary objects registered in association with the ID of the passage and information on whether or not the passage is passable (for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-182635 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-140691 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2005-301842 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, when workers or managers manually perform procedures to resolve any abnormality that occurs in a plant as in the past, various mistakes may occur. For example, mistakes such as creating inappropriate work items and procedures, assigning members who do not have the necessary skills, not carrying necessary equipment, missing work procedures, not recording or failing to record work content, and not creating or implementing measures to prevent recurrence are possible. As a result, appropriate work cannot be performed to resolve the abnormality, making it difficult to operate the plant safely and efficiently.

[0010] The disclosed technology has an object to provide a work support device, a work support method, and a work support program for operating a plant safely and efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In one aspect of the work support device, work support method, and work support program disclosed in the present application, the search unit searches a database using a first keyword included in fault information of a fault that has occurred in a plant to extract past similar cases, sorts the similar cases in order of the number of the first keyword included, and searches the database using a second keyword obtained from a predetermined number of similar cases that are at the top of the sorted similar cases to extract work-related information related to work performed in the similar cases.The generation unit, based on the similar cases and the work-related information extracted by the search unit, A work procedure list is included in which work procedures for dealing with the failure are registered and in which a work record column is provided for electronically recording a work record corresponding to each of the work procedures. A notification unit generates operation support information for supporting an operation of dealing with the failure. The notification unit provides the operation support information generated by the generation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect, the present invention can provide a work support device, a work support method, and a work support program for operating a plant safely and efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a work support device 10 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the past case database. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the registered contents of the equipment repair database. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents of the member skill database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a task skill list and worker information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a work procedure list. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an equipment list. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a failure response operation support process performed by the operation support device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a work support device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a work support device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram of the work support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, examples of the work support device, work support method, and work support program disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples. Also, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined within a range that does not cause inconsistency.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] [Overall configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a work support device 10 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the work support device 10 is connected to a plant 1, a manager terminal 2, and a worker terminal 3 via a network, whether wired or wireless.

[0016] The plant 1 is an example of various plants that use petroleum, petrochemicals, chemicals, gas, etc., and includes factories and the like equipped with various facilities for obtaining products. Examples of products are LNG (liquefied natural gas), resins (plastics, nylon, etc.), chemical products, etc. Examples of facilities are factory facilities, machine facilities, production facilities, power generation facilities, storage facilities, facilities at wellheads for extracting petroleum, natural gas, etc., etc.

[0017] The plant 1 is constructed using a distributed control system (DCS) etc. For example, although not shown in the figure, the control system in the plant 1 uses process data used in the plant 1 to execute various controls on control devices such as field devices installed in the equipment to be controlled and operation devices corresponding to the equipment to be controlled.

[0018] [Work support device] The work support device 10 is a device that creates a work procedure for a fault that occurs in the plant 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the work support device 10 has a past case database 11, an equipment repair database 12, a member skill database 13, a work procedure generation unit 14, a notification unit 15, an equipment confirmation unit 16, and a work confirmation unit 17.

[0019] The past case database 11 is a database that stores information about failures that have occurred in the past in the plant 1 or other plants. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the registered contents of the past case database. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the past case database 11 registers, in association with the identification information of each past case, the date and time of the occurrence of the failure in that case, information about the person who responded to the failure, information about the affiliation of that person, and the qualifications held by that person. Furthermore, the past case database 11 registers the name of the device in which the failure occurred, the model name of that device, the name of the device manufacturer that manufactured that device, information about the event that occurred due to the failure, and information about other devices affected by the failure.

[0020] The equipment repair database 12 is a database that stores repair information for past cases. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the registered contents of the equipment repair database. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the equipment repair database 12 registers the repair location, repair content, work procedure, accessories used in the work, time required for the work, and qualifications required for the work in the past case in association with the identification information of the past case. The work procedure is created based on information provided by the manufacturer of the device to be repaired, etc.

[0021] The member skill database 13 is a database that stores information on the skills of workers who can be requested to perform work. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the registered contents of the member skill database. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the member skill database 13 registers the qualifications held by each worker, the names of the machines on which the worker has worked, and work examples in association with worker identification information representing each worker. The qualifications registered include internal and external qualifications held by the worker, as well as information on training sessions that the worker has attended.

[0022] The work procedure generating unit 14 generates information for dealing with a failure based on information about the failure that has occurred. The work procedure generating unit 14 includes a search unit 141 and a list generating unit 142.

[0023] The search unit 141 receives fault information of a fault that has occurred in the plant 1. For example, the fault information includes information on the device on which the fault occurred and the event that occurred. Next, the search unit 141 uses information included in the received fault information to search the past case database 11 and extracts past similar cases similar to the received fault from the past cases. For example, the search unit 141 extracts similar cases by performing an AND search and an OR search using keywords included in the received fault information for all fields except for past case identification information held by the past case database 11. Then, the search unit 141 sorts the extracted similar cases in order of the number of keywords included. The more keywords included, the more similar the case is considered to be the case is to the occurred fault, so by this sorting, the search unit 141 can sort the similar cases in order close to the order of similarity.

[0024] Next, the search unit 141 searches the equipment repair database 12 based on the extracted similar case information, and acquires repair information including work procedures, information on various accessories used in the work, and qualifications required for the work. For example, the search unit 141 extracts keywords from the top of the similar cases arranged in order, and extracts repair information by performing AND search and OR search using the extracted keywords. Then, the search unit 141 arranges the extracted repair information in order of the number of keywords included. By this sorting, the search unit 141 can arrange the work information in an order that is considered to be similar to work performed in response to a fault that has occurred.

[0025] Next, the search unit 141 searches the member skill database 13 based on the acquired repair information, and identifies a worker who can handle the occurred fault. For example, the search unit 141 extracts information on necessary qualifications from the top of the repair information arranged in order, and extracts a worker by performing an AND search and an OR search using the extracted necessary qualifications. Then, the search unit 141 arranges the information on the workers in the order of the worker who has the most qualifications required in the top repair information. By this sorting, the search unit 141 can arrange the workers in the order of the likelihood that they will be able to handle the occurred fault.

[0026] Thereafter, the search unit 141 outputs the extracted information on similar cases, the work information, and the information on workers who can be requested, arranged in order, to the list creation unit 142.

[0027] The list creation unit 142 receives input of information on similar cases of the occurred failure, work information, and information on workers who can be requested from the search unit 141. Next, the list creation unit 142 extracts information on necessary qualifications from the work information.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the task skill list and the worker information. The list generating unit 142 extracts the necessary qualification information from the top of the repair information arranged in order and arranges them from top to bottom to generate the task skill list 101 in which the qualifications necessary for the work of troubleshooting, that is, the techniques effective for troubleshooting, as shown in FIG. 5 are registered. The list generating unit 142 also generates the worker information 102 indicating the workers who have the necessary qualifications for troubleshooting from the information of the workers who can be requested arranged in order. The list generating unit 142 arranges the workers in the worker information 102 in the order of the likelihood that they can handle the occurred fault, that is, in the order of the received information. Then, the list generating unit 142 outputs the generated task skill list 101 and the worker information 102 to the notification unit 15.

[0029] Furthermore, the list creation unit 142 creates a work procedure list 103 in which work procedures for dealing with a fault that has occurred are registered, as shown in Fig. 6, based on the work procedures included in the work information. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a work procedure list. For example, the list creation unit 142 determines a work procedure for dealing with a fault that has occurred, based on the work procedures registered in a predetermined number of pieces of work information from among the acquired work information, and creates the work procedure list 103. At this time, the list creation unit 142 provides a work record column for inputting and electronically recording work records in correspondence with each procedure listed in the work procedure list 103.

[0030] Here, the list generating unit 142 may obtain information on a worker designated by the administrator as a person in charge of troubleshooting from the notification unit 15, and determine the notification content of the work procedure according to the technical level of the worker. In this case, the list generating unit 142 uses information on the member skill database 13 obtained by the search unit 141 to confirm the qualifications held by the worker designated by the administrator. The qualifications held by the worker are an example of a "specific skill". Then, the list generating unit 142 determines the notification content of the work procedure according to the qualifications held by the worker, and generates the work procedure list 103. For example, when the worker has few qualifications and is assumed to have a low technical level, the list generating unit 142 generates the work procedure list 103 in which a more detailed work procedure is described. On the other hand, when the worker has many qualifications and has extensive experience in training, and is assumed to have a high technical level, the list generating unit 142 generates the work procedure list 103 in which a simplified work procedure is described.

[0031] Furthermore, the list generating unit 142 determines the equipment to be used in response to the occurred failure based on the information of the equipment used in the past case included in the work information. For example, the list generating unit 142 determines the equipment to be used in response to the occurred failure based on the information of the equipment to be used registered in a predetermined number of pieces of work information among the acquired work information. Then, the list generating unit 142 arranges the equipment to be used in response to the occurred failure to generate the equipment list 104 as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an equipment list.

[0032] Thereafter, the list creation unit 142 outputs the work procedure list 103 and the equipment list 104 to the notification unit 15. Furthermore, the list creation unit 142 outputs the equipment list 104 to the equipment confirmation unit 16. Furthermore, the list creation unit 142 outputs the work procedure list 103 to the work confirmation unit 17. This list creation unit 142 is an example of a "creation unit".

[0033] The notification unit 15 receives the work skill list 101 and the worker information 102 from the list generation unit 142. Then, the notification unit 15 transmits the work skill list 101 and the worker information 102 to the manager terminal 2. After that, the notification unit 15 receives from the manager terminal 2 information on the worker designated by the manager as the person in charge of troubleshooting.

[0034] Furthermore, the notification unit 15 receives input of the work procedure list 103 and the equipment list 104 from the list generation unit 142. Here, when the list generation unit 142 generates the work procedure list 103 according to the level of the responsible worker, the notification unit 15 outputs information about the responsible worker designated by the administrator as the person in charge of troubleshooting to the list generation unit 142. Thereafter, the notification unit 15 receives input of the work procedure list 103 and the equipment list 104 from the list generation unit 142. Then, the notification unit 15 transmits the work procedure list 103 and the equipment list 104 to the worker terminal 3 used by the responsible worker designated by the administrator to handle the occurred troubleshooting.

[0035] A worker in charge of troubleshooting the failure checks the equipment list 104 using the worker terminal 3. Then, the worker in charge prepares each piece of equipment specified in the equipment list 104. After that, the worker in charge takes pictures of the prepared equipment with a camera. Next, the worker in charge sends photos of each piece of equipment taken using the worker terminal 3 to the work support device 10. The notification unit 15 receives the photos of each piece of equipment from the worker terminal 3. Then, the notification unit 15 outputs the received photos of each piece of equipment to the equipment confirmation unit 16.

[0036] Thereafter, if the equipment is insufficient, the notification unit 15 receives information about the equipment that has not been prepared from the equipment confirmation unit 16. Then, the notification unit 15 transmits the information about the equipment that has not been prepared to the worker terminal 3, and prompts the worker in charge to prepare the equipment. In response to this, when the notification unit 15 receives a preparation completion notification from the equipment confirmation unit 16, the notification unit 15 transmits a work permission notification to the worker terminal 3 to notify the worker in charge of permission to start work.

[0037] The worker in charge checks the work permission notification and starts the work. The worker in charge performs the work to deal with the fault according to the work procedure list 103. Then, when each task registered in the work procedure list 103 is completed, the worker in charge registers the work record in the work record column using the worker terminal 3 and notifies the work support device 10. The notification unit 15 receives information on the work record registered in the work record column from the worker terminal 3. Then, the notification unit 15 outputs the acquired work record information to the work confirmation unit 17. After that, when the notification unit 15 receives a notification from the work confirmation unit 17 that a work procedure has been skipped, it transmits an alert to the worker terminal 3 notifying the worker that a work procedure has been skipped.

[0038] The equipment confirmation unit 16 receives an input of the equipment list 104. The equipment confirmation unit 16 also receives an input of an image of each piece of equipment prepared by the operator in charge from the notification unit 15. The equipment confirmation unit 16 then identifies the equipment appearing in each of the acquired images. For example, the equipment confirmation unit 16 generates a learning model for recognizing the equipment appearing in the image by performing machine learning using images of a large number of pieces of equipment. The equipment confirmation unit 16 then identifies the equipment appearing in each of the acquired images by recognizing the equipment appearing in the image using the generated learning model. The equipment confirmation unit 16 then determines whether each piece of recognized equipment matches each piece of equipment listed in the equipment list 104. If there is any piece of equipment that is missing, the equipment confirmation unit 16 outputs information about the equipment that is not prepared to the notification unit 15. On the other hand, if the equipment matches, the equipment confirmation unit 16 outputs a preparation completion notification to the notification unit 15.

[0039] The work confirmation unit 17 receives the input of the work procedure list 103 from the list generation unit 142. The work confirmation unit 17 also receives the input of the information of the work record registered in the work record column from the notification unit 15. Then, the work confirmation unit 17 judges whether the work is proceeding according to the procedure. If a work procedure is skipped, the work confirmation unit 17 outputs a notification of the occurrence of the skipped work procedure to the notification unit 15.

[0040] [Troubleshooting support process flow] 8 is a flowchart of the failure response work support process by the work support device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the flow of the failure response work support process by the work support device 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0041] The search unit 141 acquires fault information notifying a fault that has occurred in the plant 1 (step S1).

[0042] Next, the search unit 141 searches the past case database 11 using the acquired fault information to extract similar cases that are similar past cases (step S2).

[0043] Next, the search unit 141 searches the equipment repair database 12 using the extracted similar cases to obtain repair information on repairs performed in the similar cases (step S3).

[0044] Next, the search unit 141 uses the repair information to identify a worker who can be requested to handle the occurred failure (step S4).

[0045] The list creation unit 142 acquires information on similar cases, repair information, and information on available workers from the search unit 141. Then, the list creation unit 142 creates a task skill list 101, worker information 102, task procedure list 103, and equipment list 104 (step S5).

[0046] The notification unit 15 transmits the task skill list 101 and the worker information 102 generated by the list generation unit 142 to the manager terminal 2 to notify the manager (step S6).

[0047] After that, the notification unit 15 acquires information about a worker who is to take charge of troubleshooting from the manager terminal 2 (step S7).

[0048] Then, the notification unit 15 transmits the work procedure list 103 and the equipment list 104 to the worker terminal 3 of the worker in charge of handling the failure (step S8).

[0049] After that, the notification unit 15 receives images of each piece of equipment prepared by the worker in charge from the worker terminal 3 (step S9).

[0050] The equipment confirmation unit 16 identifies each prepared piece of equipment from the image of the equipment received by the notification unit 15. Then, the equipment confirmation unit 16 compares the identified pieces of equipment with the equipment registered in the equipment list 104 to determine whether the preparation of the equipment has been completed (step S10).

[0051] If any equipment is missing (step S10: No), the equipment checker 16 transmits information about the equipment that has not been prepared to the worker terminal 3 via the notifier 15. After that, the fault response work support process returns to step S9.

[0052] On the other hand, if the equipment preparation is completed (step S10: Yes), the equipment checker 16 outputs an equipment preparation completion notification to the notification unit 15. The notification unit 15 transmits a work permission notification to the worker terminal 3 to notify the worker in charge of the work permission (step S11).

[0053] After that, the notification unit 15 receives the work record registered in the work record column of the work procedure list 103 from the worker terminal 3 (step S12).

[0054] The work confirmation unit 17 acquires the work record information from the notification unit 15. Then, the work confirmation unit 17 refers to the work procedure list 103 and determines whether or not a work procedure has been skipped (step S13).

[0055] If a skip of a work procedure occurs (step S13: Yes), the work confirmation unit 17 outputs a notification of the occurrence of the skip of a work procedure to the notification unit 15. The notification unit 15 transmits an alert notifying the occurrence of the skip of a work procedure to the worker terminal 3 (step S14). After that, the fault response work support process returns to step S12.

[0056] On the other hand, if no skipping of the work procedure has occurred (step S13: No), the notification unit 15 determines whether or not the work to deal with the failure has been completed based on the received work record (step S15).

[0057] If the troubleshooting work has not been completed (step S15: No), the troubleshooting work support process returns to step S12. On the other hand, if the troubleshooting work has been completed (step S15: Yes), the work support device 10 ends the troubleshooting work support process.

[0058] [effect] As described above, the work support device according to the first embodiment creates a list of the skills required for the work and the workers who can be requested, as well as the work procedure and the equipment, from the information on past cases, the information on repairs in past cases, and the information on the skills of each worker. Then, the work support device provides the information on the skills required for the work and the workers who can be requested to the manager, and allows the manager to select a worker to be in charge, and transmits the work procedure and the equipment list to the selected worker. After that, the work support device executes confirmation of the prepared equipment, confirmation of the work record, and confirmation of the work procedure. This makes it possible to select an appropriate worker for responding to a fault. In addition, by using the equipment list or automatically determining whether or not the equipment is complete and notifying the worker, the equipment to be taken to the work site by the worker can be prepared without omission, and the work time can be shortened. In addition, by notifying an alert for an item not yet performed in the work procedure, it is possible to reduce work mistakes and further suppress omissions in the work record. Therefore, when a fault occurs in the plant, a fault can be responded to appropriately and quickly, and the plant can be operated safely and efficiently.

[0059] Furthermore, the work support device according to the first embodiment can create a work procedure list according to the level of the designated worker, which enables workers of any level to carry out troubleshooting work.

[0060] [Embodiment 2] 9 is a block diagram of a work support device according to embodiment 2. The work support device 10 according to embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that an operation manual for a tool used in work is provided to the worker. The work support device 10 according to embodiment 2 further includes an operation manual database 21 and a manual selection unit 22 in addition to the units of embodiment 1. In the following description, the operation of each unit similar to that of embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0061] Operation manuals for various tools used in work are stored in advance in the operation manual database 21. The operation manuals may be provided by the manufacturers of the tools, or may be created in advance by an administrator.

[0062] The manual selection unit 22 acquires the input of the equipment list 104 from the list generation unit 142. Then, the manual selection unit 22 selects and acquires the operation manuals of each piece of equipment registered in the equipment list 104 from the operation manual database 21. After that, the manual selection unit 22 outputs the acquired operation manuals of each piece of equipment to the notification unit 15.

[0063] The notification unit 15 receives an input of the operation manual for each piece of equipment from the manual selection unit 22. Then, the notification unit 15 transmits the manual for each piece of equipment to the operator terminal 3 together with the equipment list 104.

[0064] As described above, the work support device according to the second embodiment provides the worker with an operation manual for each piece of equipment listed in the equipment list. This allows the worker to work without being confused about how to handle the equipment, allowing the worker to perform the work appropriately and shorten the work time. Therefore, when a fault occurs in the plant, the fault can be dealt with appropriately and quickly, allowing the plant to be operated safely and efficiently.

[0065] [Embodiment 3] 10 is a block diagram of a work support device according to a third embodiment. The work support device 10 according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it identifies an operation that caused a mistake from an operation log, notifies the user, and further identifies work procedures that include a similar procedure and issues a warning to improve the procedure. In addition to the units of the first embodiment, the work support device 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a work record database 31, a checking unit 32, an operation procedure database 33, and a procedure improvement warning unit 34. In the following description, the operation of each unit similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0066] The work record database 31 is a database that stores work records including an operation log of the plant 1. For example, the work record database 31 acquires the operation log of the plant 1 stored in a data storage unit separately provided in the plant 1 from a data storage unit of the plant 1. In addition, the work record database 31 may receive input of work records from operators who have performed work in the plant 1.

[0067] The operation procedure database 33 is a database that stores operation procedures for various operations executed in the plant 1. The operation procedure database 33 receives operation procedures for various operations in advance from, for example, an administrator of the plant 1 and stores the information.

[0068] The clarification unit 32 acquires information on the executed operations related to the occurred failure from the operation information database 31. Furthermore, the clarification unit 32 acquires information on similar cases from the list creation unit 142. Then, the clarification unit 32 acquires information on the operations executed in the similar cases from the operation information database 31.

[0069] The clarifying unit 32 then detects the specific operation that caused the error from the acquired operation information. For example, the clarifying unit 32 extracts operations that are included in both the operation in the current failure and the operations in each similar case. The clarifying unit 32 then determines the extracted operation as the specific operation that caused the error. After that, the clarifying unit 32 outputs information on the specific operation that caused the error to the notification unit 15 and the procedure improvement warning unit 34.

[0070] The procedure improvement warning unit 34 receives information on the specific operation that caused the mistake from the extraction unit 32. Then, the procedure improvement warning unit 34 searches the operation procedure database 33 based on the specific operation that caused the mistake, and extracts a specific operation procedure that includes the procedure for performing the specific operation that caused the mistake. After that, the procedure improvement warning unit 34 outputs information on the extracted specific operation procedure to the notification unit 15.

[0071] Furthermore, the procedure improvement warning unit 34 may improve the extracted specific operation procedure. For example, the procedure improvement warning unit 34 refers to other operation procedures and replaces the procedure for performing the operation that caused the mistake in the extracted specific operation procedure with another procedure, thereby improving the specific operation procedure. After that, the procedure improvement warning unit 34 outputs the improved specific operation procedure to the notification unit 15.

[0072] The notification unit 15 receives an input of information on the specific operation that caused the error from the identification unit 32. Then, the notification unit 15 transmits the information on the specific operation that caused the error to the manager terminal 2.

[0073] Furthermore, the notification unit 15 outputs information on the specific operation procedure including the procedure for performing the operation that caused the mistake to the notification unit 15. The notification unit 15 transmits a warning for improvement of the notified specific operation procedure to the manager terminal 2. Furthermore, when the notification unit 15 receives an input of information on an improved specific work procedure from the procedure improvement warning unit 34, it transmits information on the improved specific work procedure to the manager terminal 2.

[0074] As described above, the work support device according to this embodiment identifies the operation that caused the mistake by using operation information at the time of the occurrence of a failure and operation history in similar cases, and further identifies an operation procedure including that operation, and notifies the identified information to the manager. This allows the manager to confirm the cause of the mistake and improve the operation procedures in the plant, thereby enabling the plant to be operated safely and efficiently. Furthermore, by providing the manager with the improved operation procedures by the work support device, the manager can quickly and easily improve the operation procedures in the plant, enabling the plant to be operated safer and more efficiently.

[0075] [system] The information including the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified.

[0076] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure. In other words, all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0077] Furthermore, each processing function performed by each device may be realized, in whole or in part, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware using wired logic.

[0078] [Hardware] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the work support device 10 will be described. Fig. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram of the work support device. As shown in Fig. 11, the work support device 10 has a processor 91, a memory 92, a communication device 93, and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 94. The processor 91 is connected to the memory 92, the communication device 93, and the HDD 94 via a bus.

[0079] The communication device 93 is a network interface card or the like, and is used for communication with other information processing devices. For example, the communication device 93 relays communication between the processor 91 and the information processing devices disposed in the plant 1.

[0080] The HDD 94 is an auxiliary storage device. The HDD 94 realizes the functions of the past case database 111, the equipment repair database 12, the member skill database 13, the operation manual database 21, the work record database 31, and the operation procedure database 33. The HDD 94 also stores various programs including programs for realizing the functions of the work procedure generation unit 14, the notification unit 15, the equipment confirmation unit 16, the work confirmation unit 17, the manual selection unit 22, the identification unit 32, and the procedure improvement warning unit 34.

[0081] The processor 91 reads out various programs stored in the HDD 94, expands them into the memory 92, and executes them. In this way, the processor 91 realizes the functions of the work procedure generation unit 14, the notification unit 15, the equipment confirmation unit 16, the work confirmation unit 17, the manual selection unit 22, the identification unit 32, and the procedure improvement warning unit 34.

[0082] In this way, the work support device 10 operates as an information processing device that executes various processing methods by reading and executing a program. The work support device 10 can also realize functions similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment by reading the program from a recording medium using a medium reading device and executing the read program. Note that the program referred to here is not limited to being executed by the work support device 10. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to cases where another computer or server executes a program, or where these execute a program in cooperation with each other.

[0083] This program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. This program can also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk (MO), or a digital versatile disk (DVD), and can be executed by being read out from the recording medium by a computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Plant 2. Administrator terminal 3. Worker terminal 10 Work support device 11 Past Case Database 12 Equipment Repair Database 13 Member Skills Database 14 Work procedure generation unit 15 Notification Department 16 Equipment Verification Department 17 Work Check Department 21 Operation Manual Database 22 Manual Selection Section 31 Work Record Database 32 Washing section 33 Operating Procedure Database 34 Procedure Improvement Warning Section 101 Work Skills List 102 Worker Information 103 Work procedure list 104 Equipment List 141 Search Department 142 List Generation Unit

Claims

1. a search unit that acquires fault information of a fault that has occurred in a plant, searches a database using a first keyword included in the acquired fault information to extract past similar cases, sorts the similar cases in descending order of the number of first keywords included, and searches the database using a second keyword obtained from a predetermined number of similar cases that are at the top of the sorted similar cases to extract work-related information on work performed in the similar cases; a generation unit that generates work support information for supporting work to be done on the failure, the work support information including a work procedure list in which work procedures to be done on the failure are registered and a work record column is provided for electronically recording work records corresponding to each of the work procedures, based on the similar cases and the work-related information extracted by the search unit; a notification unit that provides the work support information generated by the generation unit; A work support device comprising:

2. The search unit extracts, as the work-related information, repair information including information on equipment used in the work and information on techniques effective for the work, the generation unit generates, as the work support information, the work procedure list, an equipment list in which equipment to be used in the fault response work is registered, and a work skill list in which the techniques effective for the fault response work are registered, based on the similar cases and the repair information extracted by the search unit; The notification unit provides the work skill list, the work procedure list, and the equipment list.

2. The work support device according to claim 1 .

3. The work support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification unit provides the work skill list to an administrator, acquires information on a responsible worker designated by the administrator, and transmits the work procedure list and the equipment list to the responsible worker performing the work to respond to the fault.

4. The work support device according to claim 3, characterized in that the generation unit extracts specific skills possessed by the responsible worker from a member skill database in which the skills possessed by a plurality of workers are registered, determines notification content of the work procedure for responding to the fault in accordance with the specific skills, and generates the work procedure list.

5. The work support device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the search unit searches a member skill database in which the skills possessed by a plurality of workers are registered based on the repair information, and identifies and notifies a worker who possesses the skills effective for the work of responding to the fault.

6. The work support device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising an equipment confirmation unit that acquires an image of equipment prepared by a worker who has been provided with the equipment list, determines based on the image whether or not the equipment registered in the equipment list is present, and issues a work permission notice if the equipment registered in the equipment list is present.

7. The generation unit provides a work record column in the work procedure list for electronically recording a work record corresponding to each step of the work procedure, The system further includes a work confirmation unit that acquires information written in the work record column of the work procedure list, detects a skip in the work procedure based on the work procedure list, and issues a warning.

7. The work support device according to claim 2, wherein the work support device is a movable member.

8. an operation manual database for storing operation manuals for each of the pieces of equipment; a manual selection unit that acquires the operation manual of the equipment listed in the equipment list from the operation manual database; 8. The work support device according to claim 2, further comprising:

9. a work record database for storing an operation history of operations performed in the plant; and a retrieval unit for retrieving the operations performed in the similar case from the work record database and detecting and notifying a specific operation that caused the fault.

9. The work support device according to claim 2, further comprising:

10. an operation procedure database for storing various operation procedures to be executed in the plant; a procedure improvement warning unit that obtains a specific operation procedure including the specific operation detected by the extraction unit from the operation procedure database and issues a warning to improve the specific operation procedure; The work support device according to claim 9, further comprising:

11. 11. The work support device according to claim 10, wherein the procedure improvement warning unit creates an improved operating procedure by improving the specific operating procedure based on the operating procedure stored in the operating procedure database, and notifies the user of the improved operating procedure.

12. Obtaining fault information for faults that occur in the plant, searching a database using a first keyword included in the acquired fault information to extract past similar cases, sorting the similar cases in descending order of the number of the first keywords included, and searching the database using second keywords obtained from a predetermined number of similar cases that rank highly in the sorted similar cases to extract work-related information related to work performed in the similar cases; generating work support information for supporting work to respond to the failure, the work support information including a work procedure list in which work procedures to respond to the failure are registered and a work record column is provided for electronically recording work records corresponding to each of the work procedures, based on the extracted similar cases and the work-related information; Providing the generated work support information A work support method comprising:

13. Obtaining fault information for faults that occur in the plant, searching a database using a first keyword included in the acquired fault information to extract past similar cases, sorting the similar cases in descending order of the number of the first keywords included, and searching the database using second keywords obtained from a predetermined number of similar cases that rank highly in the sorted similar cases to extract work-related information related to work performed in the similar cases; generating work support information for supporting work to respond to the failure, the work support information including a work procedure list in which work procedures to respond to the failure are registered and a work record column is provided for electronically recording work records corresponding to each of the work procedures, based on the extracted similar cases and the work-related information; Providing the generated work support information A work support program that causes a computer to execute a process.

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