System for managing an industrial environment

Abstract

The system comprises at least one digital device (104), a scanning device (106), and a server (108). The digital device (104) comprises a microcontroller (202) configured to generate a unique identifier for an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment (102), wherein the unique identifier comprises information relating to an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment (102) and time before which the activity is to be performed by the human personnel. The scanning device (106) is configured to scan the unique identifier generated by the digital device (104). The server (108) is configured to validate the scanned unique identifier to confirm that the activity associated with the unique identifier is performed by the human personnel. The server (108) prompts the digital device (104) to generate a new unique identifier for the activity that is performed by the human personnel.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a system for managing an industrial environment, it particularly relates to a system for monitoring activities in an industrial environment.BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] It is a known fact that, managing and monitoring industrial environment such as a shopfloor plays a key role in effective operation of the industrial environment. Further, it enables in better usage of resources and minimizes safety risks. Typically, in any industrial environment, human operators are assigned with tasks to monitor and perform certain activities in the shopfloor. As an example, one human operator may perform periodic safety check of the machines in the shopfloor. One human operator may perform periodic maintenance of the machines in shopfloor.

[0004] It is important to not to miss performing these activities periodically as per the schedule. Missing to perform these activities may compromise on the safety of the industrial environment. One conventional method of ensuring that these activities are performed by the human operators is to maintain a log of the activities. The log may be a digital log where a digital code associated with an activity may be printed and placed in the shopfloor. The human operator may perform the activity and scan the digital code and log the activity.

[0005] However, the drawback of such techniques is that the human operator may take the physical copy of the digital code and scan the code without going to the shopfloor and performing the activity at the shopfloor. Thus, the human operator can trick the system by logging the activity without going to the shopfloor and performing the activity.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a system to address the disadvantages of the existing solutions and improve the management of the industrial environment.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] In an embodiment, a system for managing an industrial environment is disclosed. The system comprises at least one digital device, a scanning device, and a server. The digital device is deployed in the industrial environment and comprises a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to generate a unique identifier for an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment. The unique identifier comprises information relating to an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment and time before which the activity is to be performed by the human personnel. The microcontroller is further configured to generate a new unique identifier for the activity if the time before which the activity is to be performed has lapsed. The scanning device is configured to scan the unique identifier generated by the digital device. The server is communicatively coupled to the digital device and the scanning device. The server is configured to receive the scanned unique identifier from scanning device. Further, validate the scanned unique identifier to confirm that the activity associated with the unique identifier is performed by the human personnel. The server may then prompt the digital device to generate a new unique identifier for the activity that is performed by the human personnel.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The following briefly describes the accompanying drawings, illustrating the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention, for assisting the understanding of a person skilled in the art to comprehend the invention. It would be apparent that the accompanying drawings in the following description merely show some embodiments of the present invention, and persons skilled in the art can derive other drawings from the accompanying drawings without deviating from the scope of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for managing an industrial environment, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an architecture of the digital device 104, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture of the server 108, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of managing an industrial environment, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIGs. 5A-5B illustrates an example display interface of the digital device 104, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example implementation of managing an industrial environment, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of managing an industrial environment, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0016] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of method of presenting relevant application for an alert, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0017] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0019] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or”, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B”, “B but not A”, and “A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for managing an industrial environment 102, in accordance with an embodiment. The system 100 comprises a digital device 104, a scanning device 106, and a server 108.

[0021] In an embodiment, the system 100 may comprise multiple digital device 104s deployed in multiple zones of the industrial environment 102. The digital device 104 may be an electronic device that is configured to display a unique identifier 110 associated with an activity to be performed in the zone where the digital device 104 is deployed.

[0022] In one embodiment, the unique identifier 110 may be a Quick Response (QR) code, bar code, alphanumeric string or the like.

[0023] In an embodiment, the scanning device 106 may be an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a scanner configured to scan the unique identifier 110 displayed by the digital device 104.

[0024] In one embodiment, the scanning device 106 may be a mobile device configured to be carried by the human personnel such that the human personnel must be present in proximity of the digital device 104 to scan the unique identifier 110 displayed by the digital device 104.

[0025] The server 108 is configured to communicatively couple the digital device 104 and the scanning device 106. In one embodiment, the server 108 may be a standalone computer or a remotely deployed cloud computer.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an architecture of the digital device 104, in accordance with an embodiment. The digital device 104 comprises a microcontroller 202, a memory module 204, a communication module 206, a display module 208, and a navigation module 210.

[0027] The microcontroller 202 may be configured to execute a code to perform at least some, if not all, of the functionality described herein.

[0028] The memory module 204 may include a permanent memory such as hard disk drive, may be configured to store data, and executable program instructions that are implemented by the microcontroller 202. The memory module 204 may be implemented in the form of a primary and a secondary memory. The memory module 204 may store additional data and program instructions that are loadable and executable on the microcontroller 202, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Further, the memory module 204 may be volatile memory, such as random-access memory and / or a disk drive, or non-volatile memory. The memory module 204 may comprise of removable memory such as a CompactFlash card, Memory Stick, Smart Media, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital memory, or any other memory storage that exists currently or may exist in the future.

[0029] The communication module 206 enables the data processing unit 106 to communicate with the authentication unit 102 and the monitoring unit 104. The communication module 206 may be a wireless or wired means of communication.

[0030] The display module 208 may be configured to display a unique identifier 110 to human personnel. For example, the display module 208 may include a panel, and the panel may be an LCD, LED or an AM-OLED.

[0031] The navigation module 210 is configured to enable human personnel to navigate between multiple options displayed in the display module. In one embodiment, the navigation module 210 may be implemented as physical buttons or digital icons displayed on the display module.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture of the server 108, in accordance with an embodiment. The server 108 comprises a microprocessor 302, a database 304, input modules 306 and output modules 308.

[0033] The microprocessor may be implemented in the form of one or more processors and may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processor may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described.

[0034] The database 304 may include a permanent memory such as hard disk drive, may be configured to store data, and executable program instructions that are implemented by the processor. The database 304 may be implemented in the form of a primary and a secondary memory. The database 304 may store additional data and program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Further, the database 304 may be volatile memory, such as random-access memory and / or a disk drive, or non-volatile memory. The database 304 may comprise of removable memory such as a Compact Flash card, Memory Stick, Smart Media, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital memory, or any other memory storage that exists currently or may exist in the future.

[0035] The input modules 206 may provide an interface for input devices such as keypad, touch screen, mouse and stylus among other input devices.

[0036] The output modules 308 may provide an interface for output devices such as display screen, speakers, printer and haptic feedback devices, among other output devices.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of managing an industrial environment 102, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 402, the microcontroller 202 of the digital device 104 generates a unique identifier 110 for an activity to be performed by the human personnel.

[0038] The unique identifier 110 may comprise information relating to an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment 102 and stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed by the human personnel.

[0039] The digital device 104 may generate multiple such unique identifier 110s for each activity to be performed in the industrial environment 102. Referring to FIG. 1, multiple digital device 104s are deployed in different zones of the industrial environment 102. In each zone, multiple activities may be performed at a pre-determined time. As an example, at zone A, one maintenance activity and one safety inspection activity are to be performed. The digital device 104 may generate one unique identifier 110 for maintenance activity and one unique identifier 110 for safety inspection activity. Thus, each digital device 104 may generate multiple unique identifier 110s for each activity to be performed in the zone where the digital device 104 is deployed.

[0040] FIGs. 5A-5B illustrates an example display interface of the digital device 104, in accordance with an embodiment. The human personnel may operate the navigation module 210 to select an activity among a plurality of activities to be performed by the human personnel in the industrial environment 102. The display module may display the unique identifier 110 and the activity to be performed by the human personnel in the industrial environment 102.

[0041] The digital device 104 may generate a new unique identifier 110 for an activity if the stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed has lapsed.

[0042] At step 404, the scanning device 106 may scan the unique identifier 110 displayed by the digital device 104. The scanning device 106 may take a picture of the unique identifier 110 and communicate the image of the unique identifier 110 with the server 108.

[0043] At step 406, the server 108 may receive the unique identifier 110 from the scanning device 106 to process the unique identifier 110.

[0044] At step 408, the server 108 validates the unique identifier 110 shared by the scanning device 106. The server 108 extracts the information from the unique identifier 110, wherein the information includes the activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrialenvironment 102 and stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed by the human personnel. The server 108 checks if the activity has been performed by the human personnel within the stipulated time.

[0045] At step 410, the server 108 prompts the digital device 104 to generate a new unique identifier 110. If the activity has been performed by the human personnel within the stipulated time, the server 108 marks the activity as performed.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example implementation of managing an industrial environment 102, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 602, human personnel reaches a zone in the industrial environment 102 where an activity is to be performed.

[0047] At step 604, the human personnel performs the activity in the zone where the activity is to be performed. The activity may include safety inspection, maintenance activity or the like.

[0048] At step 606, the human personnel, after performing the activity scans the unique identifier 110 associated with the activity that was performed, using the scanning device 106. The human personnel may navigate using the navigation module 210 to select the activity in the digital device 104. Upon selecting the activity, the digital device 104 displays the associated unique identifier 110, and the human personnel scans the unique identifier 110.

[0049] At step 608, the server 108 records the completion of the activity and the time of completion of the activity. The server 108 receives the scanned unique identifier 110 from the scanning device 106 and validates the unique identifier 110.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of managing an industrial environment 102, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 702, the digital device 104 generates a unique identifier 110 associated with an activity and determines the stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed. The stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed may be predetermined by the human personnel.

[0051] At step 704, the digital device 104 communicates, with the server 108, the information pertaining to the unique identifier 110 and the stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed. The server 108 may record the received information in the database 304 for all the activities to be performed by the human personnel.

[0052] At step 706, the server 108 monitors whether the unique identifier 110 is scanned by a scanning device 106 of the human personnel before the stipulated time within which the activity is to be performed. The server 108 is communication with the scanning device 106 andmay receive the unique identifier 110 from the scanning device 106 if the unique identifier 110 is scanned by the scanning device 106.

[0053] At step 708, if the unique identifier 110 is scanned by the scanning device 106 and the server 108 receives the scanned unique identifier 110, the server 108 records that the activity has been performed by the human personnel.

[0054] At step 710, if the unique identifier 110 is not scanned by the scanning device 106, the server 108 records that the activity has been performed by the human personnel within the stipulated time.

[0055] At step 712, the server 108 generates an alert message and communicates the alert message with an alerting device. The message may indicate the name of the activity that has not been performed and information of the human operator responsible for performing the activity.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of method of presenting relevant application for an alert, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 802, the database 304 of the server 108 records the historical data of activities performed, record the alert message communicated by the server 108 for every instance where the time for performing the activity by the human personnel has lapsed, and corrective measures taken using applications.

[0057] In an embodiment, the digital device 104 is configured to generate a unique identifier 110 for each of the applications related to monitoring industrial environment 102.

[0058] At step 804, the server 108 assesses the historical data and assigns priorities to alert messages. In one embodiment, the server 108 may categorize the alerts as high priority, medium priority, and low priority.

[0059] At step 806, when an alert message is generated, the server 108 retrieves the application related to the alert message. In case of multiple alerts, the server 108 retrieves the applications related to the each of the alert messages.

[0060] At step 808, the server 108 prompts the digital device 104 to display the unique identifier 110 associated with the application related to the alert message based on the priorities of the alert messages.

[0061] The human personnel may scan the unique identifier 110 associated with the application related to the alert message, using a scanning device 106. Upon scanning the unique identifier 110, the scanning device 106 is configured to navigate to the web page of the application related to the alert message.

[0062] The processes described above is described as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0063] The example embodiments described herein may be implemented in an operating environment comprising software installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware.

[0064] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0065] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.List of reference numerals100 - System for managing an industrial environment102 - Industrial environment104 - Digital device106 - Scanning device108 - Server110 - Unique identifier202 - Microcontroller204 - Memory module206 - Communication module208 - Display module210 - Navigation module302 - Microprocessor304 - Database306 - Input modules308 - Output modules

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (100) for managing an industrial environment (102), wherein the system (100) comprises: at least one digital device (104) deployed in the industrial environment (102), wherein the digital device (104) comprises a microcontroller (202) configured to: generate a unique identifier for an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment (102), wherein the unique identifier comprises information relating to an activity to be performed by human personnel in the industrial environment (102) and stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed by the human personnel ; and generate a new unique identifier for the activity if the stipulated time before which the activity is to be performed has lapsed; a scanning device (106) configured to scan the unique identifier generated by the digital device (104); and a server (108) communicatively coupled to the digital device (104) and the scanning device (106), wherein the server (108) is configured to: receive the scanned unique identifier from scanning device (106); validate the scanned unique identifier to confirm that the activity associated with the unique identifier is performed by the human personnel; and prompt the digital device (104) to generate a new unique identifier for the activity that is performed by the human personnel.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server (108) is configured to generate multiple unique identifiers, wherein each of the unique identifiers is associated with one activity among multiple activities to be performed by the human personnel in the industrial environment (102).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server (108) is configured to: determine, for each activity, if the stipulated time for performing the activity by the human personnel has lapsed; and communicate an alert message on an alerting device, if the time for performing the activity by the human personnel has lapsed.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the alerting device is a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a laptop.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital device (104) comprises: a display module configured to display the unique identifier and the activity associated with the unique identifier; and a navigation module configured to enable the human personnel to navigate between multiple unique identifiers of multiple activities.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the server (108) comprises a database configured to record the unique identifiers, activities associated with the unique identifiers and information relating to performance of the activity by the human personnel within the stipulated time.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanning device (106) is a mobile device configured to be carried by the human personnel such that the human personnel must be present in proximity of the digital device (104) to scan the unique identifier displayed by the digital device (104).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the database is configured to record the alert message communicated by the server (108) for every instance where the time for performing the activity by the human personnel has lapsed.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital device (104) is wirelessly connected to the server (108) and the digital device (104) communicates with the server (108) through Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the server (108) is configured to: assess the historical alert messages generated by the server (108); and assign priorities to the alert messages based on the assessment of the historical alert messages.

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the microcontroller (202) of the digital device (104) is configured to generate a unique identifier for applications related to monitoring industrial environment (102).

12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the server (108) is configured to: retrieve the application related to the alert message generated by the server (108); and communicate, to the digital device (104), information identifying the application related to the alert message.

13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the digital device (104) is configured to: determine the unique identifier associated with the application related to the alert message; and display the unique identifier associated with the application related to the alert message.

14. The system (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the scanning device (106) is configured to navigate to the web page of the application upon scanning the unique identifier displayed by the digital device (104).

15. The system (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein in the event of multiple simultaneous alert messages, the server (108) is configured to prioritize the alert messages based on at least the historical data and communicate the information of the applications based on the priority.

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