Work report creation support system

Abstract

According to the present invention, a plurality of beacons transmit unique radio waves that differ from each other to a plurality of setup work locations in an elevator. A portable terminal has a portable terminal body that transmits report information by receiving the unique radio wave as a received radio wave at any one of the plurality of setup work locations. A server receives the report information from the portable terminal. The portable terminal body calculates work location information indicating the setup work location corresponding to the received radio wave on the basis of the received radio wave, calculates work time information indicating a work time corresponding to the received radio wave on the basis of a reception continuation time, which is a time from a reception start time of the received radio wave to a reception stop time of the received radio wave, and creates action information which associates the work location information and the work time information with each other, and the report information including the action information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a work report creation support system.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to provide markers at multiple inspection points in an elevator and obtain inspection items for each inspection point by reading the markers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, reading the markers every time during inspection increases the labor of the maintenance inspection work and does not reduce the workload of the maintenance staff.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide a work report creation support system that can reduce the workload of maintenance staff.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The work report creation support system relating to this disclosure comprises multiple beacons that each emit a unique radio wave at multiple designated work locations in an elevator, a mobile terminal having a mobile terminal body that transmits report information by receiving a unique radio wave as a received radio wave at any of the multiple designated work locations, and a server that receives the report information from the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal body calculates work location information indicating the designated work location corresponding to the received radio wave based on the received radio wave, and calculates work time information indicating the work time corresponding to the received radio wave based on the reception duration, which is the time from the start time of reception of the received radio wave to the stop time of reception of the received radio wave, and creates action information that associates the work location information and the work time information, and the report information includes the aforementioned action information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the workload of maintenance personnel can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing the main parts of an elevator to which the work report creation support system according to Embodiment 1 is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the work report creation support system. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows an example of a work report created using the work report creation support system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the main components of an elevator to which the work report creation support system according to Embodiment 1 is applied. The building is provided with a hoistway 1. A car 2 is installed in the hoistway 1 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A pair of car suspension wheels 3 are installed at the bottom of the car 2. A main rope 4 is wrapped around the pair of car suspension wheels 3. The car 2 is suspended in the hoistway 1 by the main rope 4.

[0010] A hoisting machine (not shown) is installed at the top of the hoistway 1 to generate the driving force to move the elevator car 2. The main rope 4 is wound around the drive sheave of the hoisting machine. The elevator car 2 moves vertically within the hoistway 1 as the drive sheave rotates due to the driving force of the hoisting machine.

[0011] A buffer 6 is provided at the pit section 5, which is the lower end of the elevator shaft 1. If the elevator car 2 falls for any reason, the buffer 6 will receive the elevator car 2, thereby mitigating the impact on the elevator car 2.

[0012] A car control panel 8 is provided on the inner wall of car 2. The car control panel 8 is equipped with multiple in-car operation buttons and an in-car indicator.

[0013] Each landing 7 on each floor is equipped with a landing control panel 9. The landing control panel 9 is equipped with multiple landing control buttons and a landing indicator.

[0014] A control panel 10 is installed inside the hoistway 1. The control panel 10 controls the operation of the elevator based on information from the car control panel 8 and the landing control panel 9, respectively. The operation of the elevator is controlled by controlling the hoisting machine.

[0015] When performing maintenance and inspection work on the elevator, the maintenance staff 21 performs maintenance and inspection work on a plurality of equipment to be maintained. In this embodiment, the landing operation panel 9, the buffer 6, the car operation panel 8, and the hoist are regarded as a plurality of equipment to be maintained. Further, when the maintenance staff 21 performs maintenance and inspection work, the maintenance and inspection work of the corresponding equipment to be maintained is carried out at a plurality of set work locations.

[0016] In this embodiment, four set work locations corresponding to the landing operation panel 9, the buffer 6, the car operation panel 8, and the hoist are set. Specifically, the landing 7 corresponding to the landing operation panel 9, the pit portion 5 of the hoistway 1 corresponding to the buffer 6, the inside of the car 2 corresponding to the car operation panel 8, and the upper part of the car 2 corresponding to the hoist are set as the set work locations. Note that the maintenance and inspection work of the hoist is carried out with the maintenance staff 21 on the upper part of the car 2.

[0017] The work report creation support system includes a plurality of beacons 31, a mobile terminal 41, and a server 51.

[0018] The mobile terminal 41 has a mobile terminal body 42 and an input unit 43.

[0019] [[ID=1�]] A beacon 31a is provided on the landing operation panel 9. A beacon 31b is provided in the pit portion 5 of the hoistway 1. A beacon 31c is provided on the car operation panel 8. A beacon 31d is provided on the ceiling portion of the car 2. In this embodiment, the four beacons 31a to 31d are included in the work report creation support system as a plurality of beacons 31.

[0020] The plurality of beacons 31 transmit unique radio waves different from each other to a plurality of set work locations. In this embodiment, the beacon 31a transmits a unique radio wave different from others to the landing 7, the beacon 31b transmits a unique radio wave different from others to the pit portion 5, the beacon 31c transmits a unique radio wave different from others to the inside of the car 2, and the beacon 31d transmits a unique radio wave different from others to the upper part of the car 2.

[0021] The unique radio wave transmitted from each of the plurality of beacons 31 includes the identification information of the beacon 31.

[0022] Specifically, the plurality of beacons 31 transmit radio waves compliant with the Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) Low Energy (BLE) specification.

[0023] Also, the work location information indicating the setting work location is stored in both the mobile terminal main body 42 and the server 51. The work location information is information on the installation location of the beacon 31.

[0024] Also, the work location information is stored in each of the mobile terminal main body 42 and the server 51 in association with the identification information of the beacon 31.

[0025] The identification information of the beacon 31 is information for identifying the unique radio waves transmitted by each of the plurality of beacons 31.

[0026] In the present embodiment, when the maintenance staff 21 is in the landing area 7, the radio waves transmitted by the beacon 31a are received as received radio waves by the mobile terminal main body 42 carried by the maintenance staff 21. The mobile terminal main body 42 calculates the work location information of the landing area 7, which is the setting work location corresponding to the currently received radio waves, from the setting work locations stored in advance based on the received radio waves.

[0027] Also, in the present embodiment, when the maintenance staff 21 is in the pit section 5, the radio waves transmitted by the beacon 31b are received as received radio waves by the mobile terminal main body 42 carried by the maintenance staff 21. The mobile terminal main body 42 calculates the work location information of the pit section 5, which is the setting work location corresponding to the currently received radio waves, from the setting work locations stored in advance based on the received radio waves.

[0028] Also, in the present embodiment, when the maintenance staff 21 is in the car 2, the radio waves transmitted by the beacon 31c are received as received radio waves by the mobile terminal main body 42 carried by the maintenance staff 21. The mobile terminal main body 42 calculates the work location information inside the car 2, which is the setting work location corresponding to the currently received radio waves, from the setting work locations stored in advance based on the received radio waves.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if a maintenance worker 21 is on top of the elevator car 2, the radio waves transmitted by the beacon 31d are received as radio waves by the mobile terminal 42 carried by the maintenance worker 21. Based on the received radio waves, the mobile terminal 42 calculates the work location information on top of the elevator car 2, which corresponds to the received radio waves, from among the pre-stored set work locations.

[0030] Specifically, the mobile terminal 42 receives a unique radio signal transmitted from the beacon 31 at one of the multiple setup work locations. The mobile terminal 42 also calculates work location information indicating the setup work location corresponding to the received radio signal based on the received radio signal.

[0031] In the above explanation, we described an example in which the work location information is also stored in the mobile terminal 42. However, the mobile terminal 42 does not need to store the work location information if it can extract the identification information of the beacon 31 from the radio waves received from the beacon 31. For example, the beacon 31 can emit a unique radio wave and also send a push notification to the mobile terminal 42, causing the mobile terminal 42 to query the server 51 for work location information based on the radio waves received from the beacon 31.

[0032] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 42 can also calculate work location information based on the strength of the received radio waves from the beacon 31. For example, the mobile terminal 42 receives the strongest radio wave among the multiple radio waves emitted from the beacon 31 as the received radio wave. This allows the mobile terminal 42 to pinpoint the location of the beacon 31 closest to the mobile terminal 42.

[0033] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 42 may transmit the identification information of the beacon 31 contained in the received radio waves to the server 51 each time it receives radio waves from the beacon 31. This allows the server 51 to accumulate a log of the identification information of the beacon 31. This log also corresponds to the history information of the identification information of the beacon 31. The identification information of the beacon 31 is associated with work location information, and the work location information is stored in the server 51.

[0034] This allows the server 51 to use the logs not only to manage the actions of the maintenance worker 21, but also to manage the operating status of the beacons 31. For example, if the frequency of receiving the identification information of a particular beacon 31 is low among the identification information of multiple beacons 31, it is possible that the battery level of that beacon 31 is low. In this case, the server 51 can also prompt the maintenance worker 21 to replace the battery of that beacon 31 via the mobile terminal 41.

[0035] Furthermore, the identification information of beacon 31 may be composed of a location information code issued by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.

[0036] The mobile terminal unit 42 calculates work time information indicating the work time corresponding to the received radio waves, based on the reception duration, which is the time from the start time of receiving the received radio waves to the stop time of receiving the received radio waves.

[0037] More specifically, beacon 31 repeatedly transmits its own unique radio waves at regular intervals. Therefore, if the mobile terminal 42 is within the range of the unique radio waves transmitted from beacon 31, the mobile terminal 42 will repeatedly receive the unique radio waves from beacon 31 as received radio waves.

[0038] This allows the mobile terminal 42 to determine the total duration of radio wave reception. Alternatively, the entire total duration of reception may be used as the working time, or the working time may be calculated by subtracting the time that does not constitute actual working time from the total duration of reception.

[0039] The mobile terminal unit 42 has the function to receive a unique radio wave transmitted from the beacon 31 as a received radio wave. The mobile terminal unit 42 also has the function to communicate with the server 51 via the internet 61.

[0040] The input unit 43 has the function of inputting content information indicating the work content into the mobile terminal body 42. The input unit 43 is composed of, for example, a touch panel display which is formed by overlaying a touch panel on an LCD display.

[0041] The mobile terminal 42 creates activity information that associates work location information with work time information.

[0042] The mobile terminal body 42 creates work information that associates content information with action information when content information is input from the input unit 43.

[0043] The mobile terminal 42 includes work information in the report information.

[0044] The mobile terminal 42 transmits report information containing work information to the server 51. In this case, the server 51 receives the report information from the mobile terminal 42 via the internet 61.

[0045] The above explanation describes an example in which the report information includes work information where content information is associated with action information, but the information to be included in the report information is not limited to this. For example, the report information may include action information that is not associated with content information. In this case, the report information transmitted from the mobile terminal 42 to the server 51 does not include content information, but the server 51 can store the action information. The action information is associated with work location information and work time information. Therefore, the server 51 can also manage the actions of the maintenance worker 21 by using the action information.

[0046] Furthermore, if the mobile terminal 42 creates two or more action information items with different start times for receiving radio waves, the input unit 43 can be operated to select one of the two or more action information items as the selected action information and input content information. In this case, the mobile terminal 42 creates work information that associates the content information with the selected action information.

[0047] Further details of the report information will be described later using Figure 3.

[0048] Next, we will explain an example of the operation of the work report creation support system and an example of a work report that reflects the report information using Figures 2 and 3.

[0049] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the work report creation support system shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows an example of a work report created by the work report creation support system shown in Figure 1.

[0050] (Example of Beacon 31 operation) In step S1, beacon 31 determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed since the last radio wave transmission. If beacon 31 determines that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the last radio wave transmission, it proceeds from step S1 to step S2. If beacon 31 determines that a certain amount of time has not elapsed since the last radio wave transmission, it continues the process in step S1. Here, the certain amount of time is the transmission interval of the unique radio waves transmitted from beacon 31.

[0051] In step S2, beacon 31 transmits a radio signal, returning the process of step S2 back to the process of step S1.

[0052] (Example of operation of mobile device 41) In step S11, the mobile terminal 41 determines whether or not there is a work start instruction. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that there is a work start instruction, it proceeds from the processing in step S11 to the processing in step S12. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that there is no work start instruction, it continues the processing in step S11.

[0053] The work commencement instruction is issued when the operating mode of the elevator application installed on the mobile terminal 41 changes from normal mode to maintenance mode. Normal mode is, for example, a mode in which operations such as calling the elevator car 2 are possible. Maintenance mode is a mode used by maintenance personnel 21 for elevator maintenance and inspection work. The work report creation support system uses this transition to maintenance mode as a trigger to link multiple beacons 31, the mobile terminal 41, and the server 51 to realize the operation example shown in Figure 2 of this embodiment.

[0054] In step S12, the mobile terminal 41 determines whether or not it has started receiving radio waves. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that it has started receiving radio waves, it proceeds from the process in step S12 to the process in step S13. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that it has not started receiving radio waves, it continues the process in step S12.

[0055] In step S13, the mobile terminal 41 calculates the work location information.

[0056] In step S14, the mobile terminal 41 determines whether or not it has stopped receiving radio waves. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that it has stopped receiving radio waves, it proceeds from the process in step S14 to the process in step S15. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that it has not stopped receiving radio waves, it repeats the process in step S14.

[0057] In step S15, the mobile terminal 41 calculates work time information.

[0058] In step S16, the mobile terminal 41 creates activity information by associating the work location information calculated in step S13 with the work time information calculated in step S15.

[0059] In step S17, the mobile terminal 41 determines whether or not there is a work completion instruction. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that there is a work completion instruction, it moves the process in step S17 to the process in step S18. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that there is no work completion instruction, it returns the process in step S17 to the process in step S12.

[0060] The work completion instruction is issued when the operating mode of the elevator application installed on the mobile terminal 41 switches from maintenance mode to normal mode.

[0061] In step S18, the mobile terminal 41 determines whether or not action information has been selected. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that action information has been selected, it proceeds from the processing in step S18 to the processing in step S19. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that action information has not been selected, it continues the processing in step S18.

[0062] In this case, when it is determined that an action information has been selected, it means that one of two or more action information items has been selected as the selected action information by operating the input unit 43.

[0063] In step S19, the mobile terminal 41 determines whether or not content information has been entered. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that content information has been entered, it proceeds from the process in step S19 to the process in step S20. If the mobile terminal 41 determines that no content information has been entered, it continues the process in step S19.

[0064] In this context, when it is determined that content information has been entered, it means that a selection action information has been selected, and the content information corresponding to that selected selection action information has been entered.

[0065] In step S20, the mobile terminal 41 creates work information by associating the selected action information from step S18 with the content information from step S19.

[0066] In step S21, the mobile terminal 41 creates report information including the work information from step S20.

[0067] In step S22, the mobile terminal 41 transmits report information and returns the process of step S22 to the process of step S11.

[0068] Here, we will explain the report information using Figure 3.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3, the work report contains report information. This report information includes action information and content information.

[0070] Activity information includes information about the work location and the work time.

[0071] In the example in Figure 3, the work location information is shown as "lowest floor landing." In the example in Figure 1, "lowest floor landing" corresponds to landing 7. The work time information corresponding to this "lowest floor landing" is shown as between 10:30 and 11:00, so the information corresponds to 30 minutes. In addition, the information "start of work" is associated with the work location information. "Start of work" is set when it is determined that there is a work start instruction during the processing of step S11 in Figure 2. When the work location information is "lowest floor landing" and "start of work" is set, the content information corresponding to the action information is entered as "Check abnormal history on maintenance PC, design inspection."

[0072] Furthermore, in the example in Figure 3, the work location information is shown as "Pit Area." In the example in Figure 1, Pit Area 5 corresponds to "Pit Area." The work time information corresponding to this "Pit Area" is shown as between 11:00 and 11:15, so the information corresponds to 15 minutes. When the work location information is "Pit Area," the content information corresponding to the action information is entered as "Inspection of equipment inside the control panel, pit cleaning."

[0073] Furthermore, in the example in Figure 3, the work location information is indicated as "above the elevator car." In the example in Figure 1, "above the elevator car" corresponds to the area above elevator car 2. The work time information corresponding to this "above the elevator car" is indicated as between 11:15 and 12:00, so the relevant information is 45 minutes. When the work location information is "above the elevator car," the content information corresponding to the action information is entered as "inspection of landing doors on each floor."

[0074] Furthermore, in the example in Figure 3, the work location information is shown as "lowest floor landing." In the example in Figure 1, "lowest floor landing" corresponds to landing 7. The work time information corresponding to this "lowest floor landing" is shown as 12:00. In addition, the information "work completed" is associated with the work location information. "Work completed" is set when it is determined that there is a work completion instruction during the processing of step S11 in Figure 2. When the work location information is "lowest floor landing" and "work completed," the content information corresponding to the action information is entered as "return to car position, test run."

[0075] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 2.

[0076] (Example of Server 51 operation) In step S31, the server 51 determines whether or not it has received the report information. If the server 51 determines that it has received the report information, it proceeds from the processing in step S31 to the processing in step S32. If the server 51 has not received the report information, it continues the processing in step S31.

[0077] In step S32, the server 51 stores the report information and returns the processing of step S32 to the processing of step S31.

[0078] The above example describes a process that assumes two or more pieces of action information with different start times for receiving radio waves are created by the mobile terminal 42, but the process is not limited to this. For example, steps S18 to S20 may be omitted. In this case, the report information will include action information that is not associated with content information.

[0079] As explained above, the mobile terminal 41 receives a unique radio wave from the beacon 31 as a received radio wave. Based on the received radio wave, the mobile terminal 41 calculates work location information and work time information. The mobile terminal 41 transmits report information that includes action information associated with the calculated work location information and work time information. Therefore, when the maintenance worker 21 is performing maintenance and inspection work, the radio wave from the beacon 31 is received by the mobile terminal 41 without the maintenance worker 21 having to perform any special actions, thus reducing the workload of the maintenance worker 21.

[0080] Furthermore, the report information may include work information that associates action information with content information indicating the work performed. Specifically, action information created based on a unique radio wave received from the beacon 31 may be associated with content information entered via the input unit 43. In this type of association, since the work location information and work time information have already been created, the maintenance worker 21 only needs to input the work details, which significantly reduces the workload of the maintenance worker 21.

[0081] Furthermore, if the mobile terminal 42 creates two or more pieces of action information with different start times for receiving radio waves, the input unit 43 may be operated to select one of the two or more pieces of action information as selected action information and input its content information into the mobile terminal 42. In addition, the mobile terminal 42 may create work information that associates the content information with the selected action information. If the work information associates the content information with the selected action information, even if there are multiple pieces of action information, the action information corresponding to the one with input content information will be included in the report information. This makes it possible to include the action information that needs to be reported from among two or more pieces of action information in the report information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1 Hoistway, 2 Cage, 3 Cage suspension cart, 4 Main rope, 5 Pit area, 6 Buffer, 7 Landing, 8 Cage control panel, 9 Landing control panel, 10 Control panel, 21 Maintenance personnel, 31, 31a~31d Beacon, 41 Mobile terminal, 42 Mobile terminal main unit, 43 Input unit, 51 Server, 61 Internet.

Claims

1. Multiple beacons that each emit a different, unique radio wave at multiple setting work locations in an elevator, A mobile terminal having a mobile terminal body that transmits report information by receiving the aforementioned unique radio waves as received radio waves at any of the aforementioned multiple setting work locations, A server that receives the aforementioned report information from the mobile terminal, Equipped with, The mobile terminal itself calculates work location information indicating a set work location corresponding to the received radio waves based on the received radio waves, and calculates work time information indicating the work time corresponding to the received radio waves based on the reception duration, which is the time from the start time of receiving the received radio waves to the stop time of receiving the received radio waves, and creates action information that associates the work location information and the work time information. The aforementioned report information is a work report creation support system that includes the aforementioned behavioral information.

2. The aforementioned mobile terminal further has an input unit that allows content information indicating the work content to be input into the mobile terminal body, The mobile terminal body is configured to create work information that associates the content information with the action information when the content information is input to the mobile terminal body from the input unit. The work report creation support system according to claim 1, wherein the report information includes the work information.

3. When two or more pieces of action information, each with a different reception start time for the received radio waves, are created by the mobile terminal, the input unit can be operated to select one of the two or more pieces of action information as selected action information and input the content information into the mobile terminal. The work report creation support system according to claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal body creates the work information by associating the content information with the selected action information.

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