Remote inspection system for passenger conveyor

Abstract

Provided is a remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor capable of reducing the burden of inspection work at a site by acquiring the on-site state of a passenger conveyor at a remote location.　The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor comprises: a site data acquisition device that acquires site data indicating the on-site state of a passenger conveyor; an inspection device that is independently provided separate from a control device for controlling the operation of the passenger conveyor and accumulates the site data acquired by the site data acquisition device; an external device that can be accessed from a terminal device operated by a passenger conveyor maintenance worker; and a communication device that transmits the site data from the inspection device to the external device.

Description

Remote inspection system for passenger conveyors

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for a remote inspection system that remotely inspects the on-site condition of a passenger conveyor.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for easily and quickly inspecting steps involved in the detection of an anomaly during inspection work associated with the activation of an escalator anomaly detection device. In this technique, a position detection device detects the position of a specific step when the anomaly detection device detects a step lift. Then, based on the position detection information from the position detection device, the step arrangement at the time of the anomaly detection is automatically reproduced. This technique is said to enable easy and quick inspection of the steps involved in the anomaly detection.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-116495

[0004] For regular inspections of passenger conveyors, there is a need to reduce the burden on maintenance personnel of visiting the site. However, regular inspection items for passenger conveyors include items that require maintenance personnel to check the on-site condition with their own eyes or ears. Therefore, in order to perform inspections equivalent to those performed on-site remotely, it is necessary to build a new system to acquire on-site data related to the inspection items and check them remotely.

[0005] However, there are many different types of passenger conveyors, including existing models. Therefore, there is a problem in realizing remote inspection of passenger conveyors using a simple system configuration that can be applied to a wide range of models. The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not provide a solution to this problem.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a remote inspection system for passenger conveyors that enables remote inspection of the on-site condition of passenger conveyors with a simple system configuration and reduces the burden of on-site inspection work by maintenance personnel.

[0007] The remote inspection system for passenger conveyors disclosed herein comprises a field data acquisition device that acquires field data indicating the field condition of the passenger conveyor, an inspection device that is provided independently from the control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor and accumulates the field data acquired by the field data acquisition device, an external device that can be accessed from a terminal device operated by a maintenance worker for the passenger conveyor, and a communication device that transmits the field data from the inspection device to the external device.

[0008] According to the technology disclosed herein, an inspection device that stores on-site data acquired by a on-site data acquisition device is provided independently from a control device that controls the operation of a passenger conveyor. This makes it possible to remotely inspect the on-site condition of a passenger conveyor using a simple system configuration that is applicable to a wide range of models, thereby reducing the burden of on-site inspection work by maintenance personnel.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an inspection device in the remote inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of a communication device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an inspection server in the remote inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware resources of a control device of the inspection server. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of hardware resources of a control device of the inspection server. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a search process executed in the remote inspection system. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a data storage process executed in the remote inspection system. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a data deletion process executed in the remote inspection system. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a data reference process executed in the remote inspection system. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a monitoring server in the remote inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a system server in the remote inspection system according to an embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Overall Configuration of a Remote Inspection System for a Passenger Conveyor in an Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor in an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an escalator installed in a building with multiple floors as an example of a passenger conveyor to which the remote inspection system is applied. Detailed description of other examples of passenger conveyors, such as moving walkways, will be omitted.

[0012] The passenger conveyor shown in Figure 1 comprises a truss 1 and steps 2. The truss 1 spans the upper and lower floors. Passengers move from entrance 3 to exit 4 on the steps 2. That is, Figure 1 shows an upward escalator. Note that the passenger conveyor shown in Figure 1 may also be a downward escalator. In addition, although the example shown in Figure 1 shows multiple escalators with a common structure, there is no limit to the number of escalators that can be installed.

[0013] A machinery room 5 is provided below the entrance 3. The machinery room 5 is a space formed inside the truss 1. The machinery room 5 is closed by a floor panel 6. The floor panel 6 forms the floor of the entrance 3. Passengers transfer from the floor panel 6 to the step 2.

[0014] A machinery room 7 is provided below the exit 4. The machinery room 7 is a space formed inside the truss 1. The machinery room 7 is closed by a floor plate 8. The floor plate 8 forms the floor of the exit 4. Passengers move from the step 2 to the floor plate 8.

[0015] An electric motor 9 and a control device 10 are provided in the machine room 7. The electric motor 9 drives the steps 2. The control device 10 controls the operation of the passenger conveyor by controlling the electric motor 9. For example, the electric motor 9 rotates a shaft 12 provided in the machine room 7 via a reducer. Sprockets 13 and 17 are provided on the shaft 12. The sprockets 13 and 17 rotate together with the shaft 12. A step chain 14 is wound around the sprocket 13. A number of step shafts 15 are provided on the step chain 14. A step 2 is fixed to each step shaft 15. As a result, a number of steps 2 are connected endlessly to the step chain 14. The steps 2 move in a circular motion by being pulled by the step chain 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the steps 2 emerge from under the floor board 6 at the entrance 3 and move toward the exit 4.

[0016] Skirt guards 16 are provided on both sides of the step 2 that moves from the boarding entrance 3 toward the exit 4. The step 2 emerges from under the floorboard 6 and moves between and along the skirt guards 16. The step 2 enters under the floorboard 8 at the exit 4 and turns around in the machinery room 7. In the turned-around state, the step 2 moves within the truss 1 toward the machinery room 5. The step 2 returns to its normal position by turning around again in the machinery room 5 and reappears from under the floorboard 6.

[0017] A handrail chain 18 is wound around the sprocket 17. The handrail chain 18 transmits the driving force of the electric motor 9 to a drive device for driving a moving handrail 19.

[0018] The remote inspection system 100 is a system for remotely inspecting passenger conveyors and performing associated processing. The remote inspection system 100 primarily comprises a field data acquisition device 20, an inspection device 30, a repeater 31, a communication device 40, an external device 50, a terminal device 80, and a system server 90. The communication path between the inspection device 30 and the repeater 31 is connected, for example, by a LAN line 37. The communication path between the inspection device 30 and the communication device 40 of each conveyor is also connected by the LAN line 37. The communication path between the communication device 40 and the external device 50, and the communication path between the external device 50, the system server 90, and the terminal device 80 are each connected by a public line 41 such as LTE. The primary components of the remote inspection system 100 are described in detail below.

[0019] 2. Functions of each device constituting the remote inspection system 100 2-1. On-site data acquisition device 20 The on-site data acquisition device 20 is a device for acquiring on-site data including the on-site condition of the passenger conveyor. The on-site data here is data related to the on-site condition that requires periodic inspection by a maintenance technician. The on-site data acquisition device 20 includes a microphone device 22, an upper camera device 24, a chain slack detection device 26, and a lower camera device 28. The on-site data acquisition device 20 is, for example, retrofitted to an existing passenger conveyor.

[0020] The microphone device 22 is a sound acquisition device for collecting the operating sounds of the passenger conveyor. The on-site data acquired by the microphone device 22 is hereinafter referred to as "operating sound data." The microphone device 22 is installed, for example, in the machine room 7 near the electric motor 9. The microphone device 22 collects the operating sound as needed, for example, at predetermined timing. The operating sound data is used to diagnose abnormal sounds such as bearing damage and breakage of the drive chain. The operating sound data acquired by the microphone device 22 is sent to the inspection device 30 as needed.

[0021] The upper camera device 24 is an image acquisition device for capturing images of the condition of an upper comb installed in the gap between the floor board 8 and the step 2 at the upper part of the passenger conveyor, for example, at the exit 4. The on-site data acquired by the upper camera device 24 will be referred to as "upper comb image data" hereinafter. The upper camera device 24 is installed, for example, inside the skirt guard 16 at the exit 4. The upper camera device 24 captures images of the upper comb at any time, for example, at predetermined timing. The upper comb image data is used to diagnose external abnormalities such as broken combs in the upper comb. The upper comb image data acquired by the upper camera device 24 is sent to the inspection device 30 at any time.

[0022] The chain slack detection device 26 is a device for detecting the occurrence of abnormal slack in the handrail chain 18. The chain slack detection device 26 is installed, for example, in the machine room 7 near the handrail chain 18. Typically, the chain slack detection device 26 includes a mechanical switch that detects when a rotating lever comes into contact with the handrail chain 18 and rotates when the handrail chain 18 is at its maximum slack state. The chain slack detection device 26 constantly monitors the slack in the handrail chain 18 while the passenger conveyor is in operation. When the chain slack detection device 26 detects abnormal slack in the handrail chain 18, it outputs a "slack detection signal" as on-site data. The slack detection signal output by the chain slack detection device 26 is sent to the inspection device 30 each time.

[0023] The lower camera device 28 is an image acquisition device for capturing images of the condition of the lower comb installed in the gap between the floorboard 6 and the step 2 at the bottom of the passenger conveyor, for example, at the entrance 3. The on-site data acquired by the lower camera device 28 will be referred to as "lower comb image data" hereinafter. The lower camera device 28 is installed, for example, inside the skirt guard 16 at the entrance 3. The lower camera device 28 captures images of the lower comb at any time, for example, at predetermined timing. The lower comb image data is used to diagnose external abnormalities such as broken combs in the lower comb. The lower comb image data acquired by the lower camera device 28 is sent to the inspection device 30 via a relay device 31 as needed.

[0024] 2-2. Repeater 31 The repeater 31 is installed, for example, in the machine room 5, and relays the connection between the on-site data acquisition device 20 installed near the boarding entrance 3 and the inspection device 30. An example of the on-site data acquisition device 20 connected to the repeater 31 is the lower camera device 28. Note that if the lower camera device 28 is directly connected to the inspection device 30, the repeater 31 is not an essential component. Furthermore, the repeater 31 may be configured as an inspection device similar to the inspection device 30.

[0025] 2-3. Inspection Device 30 The inspection device 30 is a device for periodically capturing and storing the on-site data acquired by the on-site data acquisition device 20, and is configured as an independent device separate from the passenger conveyor control device 10. This allows the inspection device 30 with common specifications to be used for a wide range of passenger conveyor models. The inspection device 30 is installed in the machine room 7 for each of one or more passenger conveyor units installed in a building. In one example, the inspection device 30 is retrofitted to the machine room 7 of an existing passenger conveyor.

[0026] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an inspection device in a remote inspection system according to an embodiment. The inspection device 30 includes a control device 32 and a storage device 33. The storage device 33 temporarily stores the on-site data acquired by the on-site data acquisition device 20. The storage device 33 is, for example, a storage device such as a RAM or HDD. Note that the storage device 33 may be independent of the inspection device 30, and the role of the storage device 33 may be played by a cloud or the like.

[0027] The control device 32 is a microcomputer including at least one processor and at least one memory. The control device 32 is also called an information processing device. The memory stores a data acquisition program that defines the operating conditions of each of the on-site data acquisition devices 20, and various data related to the data acquisition program. The processor includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor reads and executes the data acquisition program to realize various functions of the inspection device 30. The data acquisition program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 32 of the inspection device 30 includes, as its functional blocks, an import unit 34, a storage control unit 35, and an interface unit 36.

[0029] The import unit 34 is a functional block for importing the on-site data acquired by the on-site data acquisition device 20 into the inspection device 30. The on-site data here includes, for example, the above-mentioned operating sound data, upper comb image data, lower comb image data, and looseness detection signals.

[0030] The storage control unit 35 is a functional block for controlling processing related to the saving and reading of site data to and from the storage device 33. Typically, the storage control unit 35 saves the site data acquired by the acquisition unit 34 in association with date and time information and unit number information. Furthermore, upon receiving a request from an external device 50 (described later), the storage control unit 35 reads out the site data for the target date and time and unit number.

[0031] The interface unit 36 ​​is an interface for connecting a communication path leading to an external device 50. The external device 50 is connected to the interface unit 36 ​​via a communication device 40.

[0032] 2-4. Communication Device 40 FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the communication device. The communication device 40 controls data communication between one or more inspection devices 30 installed in a building to be managed and an external device 50. The communication device 40 is installed, for example, in the machine room 7 of one or more passenger conveyors installed in the building. The communication device 40 includes, as its main functional blocks, an interface unit 42, a control unit 44, and a communication unit 46. The interface unit 42 transmits and receives on-site data to and from the interface unit 36 ​​of each inspection device 30 via a LAN line 37. The communication unit 46 communicates with the external device 50 via a public line 41. The control unit 44 controls the reading of on-site data from each inspection device 30 via the interface unit 36. The control unit 44 also controls the writing of on-site data to the external device 50 via the communication unit 46. Typically, in response to a data collection request (described later), the control unit 44 receives operating sound data, upper comb image data, and lower comb image data from the inspection device 30 as inspection data, and transmits the data to the inspection server 60 of the external device 50. The control unit 44 also receives a loosening detection signal from the inspection device 30 as monitoring data, and immediately transmits the data to the monitoring server 70 of the external device 50.

[0033] 2-5. External Device 50 The external device 50 is a device that executes processing to remotely inspect and monitor one or more passenger conveyors installed in one or more buildings to be managed. The external device 50 communicates with each of the communication devices 40 installed in each building via a public line 41. The external device 50 is also configured to be accessible via the public line 41 from a terminal device 80 operated by a maintenance worker.

[0034] The external device 50 includes an inspection server 60 and a monitoring server 70. The inspection server 60 mainly executes processes related to periodic inspection items of the passenger conveyor. On the other hand, the monitoring server 70 mainly executes processes related to constant monitoring items of the passenger conveyor. The inspection server 60 and the monitoring server 70 are each installed, for example, in a remote location away from the location of the building to be managed. The functions of these servers will be described below.

[0035] 2-5-1. Inspection Server 60 The inspection server 60 is a device that handles inspection data related to remote inspection, specifically operating sound data, upper comb image data, and lower comb image data, among the on-site data stored in the inspection device 30. Figure 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the inspection server in the remote inspection system of this embodiment. The inspection server 60 mainly comprises a control device 61 and a storage device 62.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware resources of a control device of the inspection server. The control device 61 is a microcomputer equipped with a processing circuit 610 including at least one processor 612 and at least one memory 614 as hardware resources. The control device 61 is also referred to as an information processing device. The memory 614 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The memory 614 stores a remote inspection program for executing processes related to the remote inspection of the passenger conveyor and various data related to the remote inspection program. The processor 612 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 612 reads and executes the remote inspection program, thereby realizing various functions of the inspection server 60. The remote inspection program may be stored in another database connected via a communication path or may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of hardware resources of a control device of an inspection server. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the control device 61 includes a processing circuit 610 including, for example, a processor 612, a memory 614, and dedicated hardware 616. Fig. 6 shows an example in which some of the functions of the control device 61 are realized by the dedicated hardware 616. All of the functions of the control device 61 may also be realized by the dedicated hardware 616. The dedicated hardware 616 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0038] The inspection server 60 is configured to be accessible via the public line 41 from a terminal device 80 operated by a maintenance technician. The terminal device 80 is a device such as a maintenance computer, a smartphone, or a tablet that includes an input device 82, an output device 84, and a storage device 86. The input device 82 includes devices such as a mouse and a keyboard for inputting information. The output device 84 includes a display for outputting images and a speaker for outputting sound. The input device 82 and the output device 84 may also be configured as touch panel displays. The storage device 86 is a device for temporarily storing various data.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the control device 61 of the inspection server 60 includes, as its functional blocks, a search processing unit 63, a data collection request registration unit 64, a data storage unit 65, a data deletion unit 66, and a data reference unit 67.

[0040] The search processing unit 63 is a functional block for receiving input from the input device 82 of the terminal device 80 and searching for the building and passenger conveyor number to be inspected. This process will be referred to as "search process" hereinafter.

[0041] 7 is a flowchart of the search process executed in the remote inspection system. In step S100 of the routine shown in FIG. 7, the search processing unit 63 determines whether a building number has been entered from the input device 82 into the building search input field on the remote inspection screen displayed on the output device 84 of the terminal device 80. If the input is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S102; if the input is not confirmed, the process of this routine is terminated.

[0042] In step S102, the search processing unit 63 searches for the building corresponding to the input building number and one or more passenger conveyor units installed in the building, and displays a list of the search results on the output device 84.

[0043] The data collection request registration unit 64 is a functional block for registering a data collection request that specifies the conditions for collecting inspection data. This process will be referred to as the "data collection request registration process" hereinafter. The collection conditions here include at least the specification of the passenger conveyor unit to be inspected. The collection conditions may also include the specification of the time when the inspection data is to be collected, the date and time when the collected inspection data is to be obtained, the type of inspection data to be collected, etc.

[0044] In the data collection request registration process, the data collection request registration unit 64 registers a data collection request input by a maintenance worker from the input device 82 of the terminal device 80. Typically, the maintenance worker uses the input device 82 to select the passenger conveyor number for which inspection data is desired to be collected from the list of search results displayed on the output device 84 by the search process, and registers the data collection request.

[0045] The data storage unit 65 is a functional block for extracting inspection data from the inspection device 30 connected to the passenger conveyor from which data is to be collected, in accordance with the data collection request registered by the data collection request registration process, and storing the data in the storage device 62. This process will be referred to hereinafter as the "data storage process," and the stored inspection data will be referred to hereinafter as the "collected data." The storage device 62 is, for example, a storage device such as a RAM or HDD. Note that the role of the storage device 62 may be played by a cloud or the like, independent of the inspection server 60.

[0046] 8 is a flowchart of the data storage process executed in the remote inspection system. In step S110 of the routine shown in FIG. 8, the data storage unit 65 determines whether a data collection request has been registered. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S112. If the determination is negative, the process ends.

[0047] In step S112, the data storage unit 65 transmits an extraction command to the inspection device 30 to extract inspection data corresponding to the collection conditions included in the data collection request from the storage device 33. The storage control unit 35 of the inspection device 30 extracts the inspection data in accordance with the received extraction command and transmits it to the inspection server 60 via the communication device 40.

[0048] When the processing of step S112 is completed, the processing proceeds to step S114. In step S114, the data storage unit 65 determines whether or not inspection data has been received from the communication device 40. As a result, if the determination is not affirmative, the processing of step S114 is repeated, and if the determination is affirmative, the processing proceeds to step S116. In step S116, the data storage unit 65 stores the received inspection data in the storage device 62 as collected data.

[0049] According to the data storage process described above, inspection data according to a request from a maintenance worker operating the terminal device 80 can be stored in the storage device 62 as collected data.

[0050] The data deletion unit 66 is a functional block for sequentially deleting collected data that has been stored in the storage device 62 by the data storage process and that has been there for a certain period of time. This process will be referred to as the "data deletion process" hereinafter.

[0051] 9 is a flowchart of the data deletion process executed in the remote inspection system. In step S120 of the routine shown in FIG. 9, the data deletion unit 66 determines whether any of the collected data stored in the storage device 62 is older than a certain period of time. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S122. If the determination is negative, the process of this routine is terminated. In step S122, the data deletion unit 66 deletes from the storage device 62 the collected data corresponding to the determination in step S120.

[0052] According to the data deletion process described above, unnecessary collected data can be organized and the capacity of the storage device 62 can be secured.

[0053] The data reference unit 67 is a functional block for outputting collected data designated by a maintenance worker from the terminal device 80, from among the collected data stored in the storage device 62. This process will be referred to as "data reference process" hereinafter.

[0054] 10 is a flowchart of the data reference process executed in the remote inspection system. In step S130 of the routine shown in FIG. 10, the data reference unit 67 determines whether the unit number of the building for which collected data is to be referenced has been specified. Here, it is determined whether a link for data reference displayed in the column for the unit number of the building in which the collected data is saved in the search result list displayed on the output device 84 has been clicked by the input device 82. If the determination is not affirmative, the process proceeds to step S134; if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S132.

[0055] In step S132, the data reference unit 67 reads out from the storage device 62 the collected data designated for reference by the input device 82, and outputs it on the acquired data reference screen of the output device 84 of the terminal device 80. For example, of the reference data, the upper comb image data and the lower comb image data are displayed as images on the display, which is the output device 84, and clicking on the image further enlarges the image. Also, of the reference data, the operating sound data is displayed as a sound waveform on the output device 84, and clicking the play button on the screen outputs the operating sound from the speaker, which is the output device 84. The maintenance worker checks the collected data output from the output device 84 and diagnoses whether there is an inspection abnormality. After the processing of step S132 is performed, the processing proceeds to step S134.

[0056] In step S134, the data reference unit 67 determines whether the maintenance technician has designated collected data to be saved as evidence data. Here, it is determined whether a save button on the screen corresponding to each piece of collected data displayed on the output device 84 has been clicked by the input device 82. If any of the save buttons has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S136; if none of the save buttons has been clicked, the process of this routine ends.

[0057] In step S136, the data reference unit 67 reads out the collected data specified in the processing of step S134 from the storage device 62 and stores it as evidence data in the storage device 86 of the terminal device 80. The evidence data stored in the storage device 86 is used, for example, in the report creation processing described below.

[0058] According to the data reference process described above, a maintenance person can refer to the inspection data output to the terminal device 80 at a remote location and perform an inspection.

[0059] 2-5-2. Monitoring Server 70 The monitoring server 70 is a device that handles monitoring data related to remote monitoring, specifically loosening detection signals, among the on-site data stored in the inspection device 30. Figure 11 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the monitoring server in the remote inspection system of this embodiment. The monitoring server 70 includes a signal receiving unit 72 and an alarm processing unit 74, functions realized by a processor of a control device (not shown) executing a program.

[0060] The signal receiving unit 72 is a functional block for receiving a slack detection signal from the on-site data as monitoring data from the communication devices 40 installed in one or more buildings. The alarm issuing processing unit 74 is a functional block for issuing an alarm. Typically, the alarm issuing processing unit 74 issues an alarm when the signal receiving unit 72 receives a slack detection signal.

[0061] 2-6. System Server 90 The system server 90 is a device equipped with a function to support the creation of an inspection report for remote inspection of a passenger conveyor. The system server 90 is configured to be accessible from the terminal device 80 via the public line 41. FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the system server in the remote inspection system of this embodiment. The system server 90 includes a report creation processing unit 92 as a function realized by a processor of a control device (not shown) executing a program.

[0062] The report creation processing unit 92 receives input from a maintenance worker operating the terminal device 80 and supports the creation of an inspection report for the remote inspection. This process is hereinafter referred to as the "report creation process." The maintenance worker receives report generation data based on the looseness detection signal from the monitoring server 70 and saves it in the storage device 86 of the terminal device 80. In the report creation process, the report creation processing unit 92 accepts input of report generation data from the terminal device 80 and reflects the contents of the received report generation data in the contents of the inspection report.

[0063] Furthermore, when preparing an inspection report, the maintenance person stores evidence data to be attached to the inspection report in the storage device 86. In the report preparation process, the report preparation processing unit 92 receives input of evidence data selected by the maintenance person operating the input device 82 from the evidence data stored in the terminal device 80, and reflects the received evidence data in the contents of the inspection report.

[0064] According to the report creation process described above, the burden of creating an inspection report including evidence data is reduced.

[0065] 3. Modifications The remote inspection system 100 according to the embodiment may employ the following modifications.

[0066] 3-1. On-site data acquisition device 20 The on-site data acquisition device 20 may further include a machine room camera device that captures images of the machine room 7. In this case, the image data acquired by the machine room camera device may be handled as on-site data in the same manner as other on-site data.

[0067] 3-2. Inspection Device 30 The inspection device 30 may have a function to diagnose the presence or absence of abnormal sounds based on the operating sound data. In this case, the diagnosis results may be used as on-site data in the same way as the operating sound data.

[0068] 4. Others Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0069] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0070] (Supplementary Note 1) A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor comprising: a field data acquisition device that acquires field data indicating the field condition of the passenger conveyor, an inspection device that is provided separately from a control device that controls the operation of the passenger conveyor and that stores the field data acquired by the field data acquisition device, an external device that can be accessed from a terminal device operated by a maintenance technician of the passenger conveyor, and a communication device that transmits the field data from the inspection device to the external device. (Supplementary Note 2) The external device includes: a monitoring server that collects monitoring data related to constant monitoring items of the passenger conveyor from the field data, and an inspection server that collects inspection data related to periodic inspection items of the passenger conveyor from the field data. (Supplementary Note 3) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the inspection server comprises: a data collection request registration unit that receives from the terminal device a data collection request that defines collection conditions for the inspection data and registers it; and a data storage unit that collects the inspection data from the inspection device based on the data collection request and stores it in a storage device as collected data. (Supplementary Note 4) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the inspection server further comprises: a data reference unit that outputs, from the collected data, data that is specified to be referenced by an input device of the terminal device to an output device of the terminal device. (Supplementary Note 5) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the data reference unit is configured to store, from the collected data, data that is specified to be saved by the input device of the terminal device as evidence data in the terminal device. (Supplementary Note 6) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 5, wherein the inspection server further comprises: a data deletion unit that deletes, from the storage device, data of the collected data that has passed a certain period of time.(Supplementary Note 7) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the on-site data acquisition device includes a sound acquisition device that acquires operating sound data obtained by collecting operating sounds of the passenger conveyor as the on-site data, and the communication device is configured to transmit the operating sound data to the inspection server as the inspection data. (Supplementary Note 8) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the on-site data acquisition device includes an image acquisition device that acquires comb image data obtained by capturing an image of a state of a comb of the passenger conveyor as the on-site data, and the communication device is configured to transmit the comb image data to the inspection server as the inspection data. (Supplementary Note 9) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the on-site data acquisition device includes a chain slack detection device that acquires, as the on-site data, a slack detection signal that detects the occurrence of an abnormal slack in a handrail chain of the passenger conveyor, and the communication device is configured to transmit the slack detection signal to the monitoring server as the monitoring data. (Supplementary Note 10) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the monitoring server is equipped with an alarm processing unit that issues an alarm when the slack detection signal is received. (Supplementary Note 11) The remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to Supplementary Note 5, further comprising a system server that can be accessed from the terminal device, and the system server is equipped with a report creation processing unit that accepts input of the evidence data from the terminal device and reflects it in the contents of a report.

[0071] LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Truss, 3 Entrance, 4 Exit, 5 Machine room, 6 Floor board, 7 Machine room, 8 Floor board, 9 Electric motor, 10 Control device, 12 Axle, 13 Sprocket, 14 Step chain, 15 Step axis, 16 Skirt guard, 17 Sprocket, 18 Handrail chain, 19 Moving handrail, 20 Field data acquisition device, 22 Microphone device, 24 Upper camera device, 26 Chain slack detection device, 28 Lower camera device, 30 Inspection device, 31 Repeater, 32 Control device, 33 Storage device, 34 Import unit, 35 Storage control unit, 36 Interface unit, 37 LAN line, 40 Communication device, 41 Public line, 42 Interface unit, 44 Control unit, 46 Communication unit, 50 External device, 60 Inspection server, 61 Control device, 62 Storage device, 63 Search processing unit, 64 Data collection request registration unit, 65 Data storage unit, 66 Data deletion unit, 67 Data reference unit, 70 Monitoring server, 72 Signal receiving unit, 74 Alarm processing unit, 80 Terminal device, 82 Input device, 84 Output device, 86 Storage device, 90 System server, 92 Report creation processing unit, 100 Remote inspection system, 610 Processing circuit, 612 Processor, 614 Memory, 616 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor comprising: a field data acquisition device that acquires field data indicating the field condition of the passenger conveyor; an inspection device that is provided independently of a control device that controls the operation of said passenger conveyor and that stores the field data acquired by said field data acquisition device; an external device that can be accessed from a terminal device operated by a maintenance worker for said passenger conveyor; and a communication device that transmits the field data from said inspection device to said external device.

2. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as described in claim 1, wherein the external device includes: a monitoring server that collects monitoring data related to items that are constantly monitored for the passenger conveyor from the on-site data; and an inspection server that collects inspection data related to items that are regularly inspected for the passenger conveyor from the on-site data.

3. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as described in claim 2, wherein the inspection server comprises: a data collection request registration unit that receives and registers a data collection request that defines the conditions for collecting the inspection data from the terminal device; and a data storage unit that collects the inspection data from the inspection device based on the data collection request and stores it in a storage device as collected data.

4. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as described in claim 3, wherein the inspection server further comprises a data reference unit that outputs data from the collected data that is specified for reference by the input device of the terminal device to the output device of the terminal device.

5. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as described in claim 4, wherein the data reference unit is configured to store, in the terminal device, data from the collected data that is designated for storage from the input device of the terminal device as evidence data.

6. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as described in claim 3, wherein the inspection server further comprises a data deletion unit that deletes from the storage device, among the collected data, data that has passed a certain period of time.

7. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as set forth in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the on-site data acquisition device includes a sound acquisition device that collects operating sounds of the passenger conveyor and acquires operating sound data as the on-site data, and the communication device is configured to transmit the operating sound data to the inspection server as the inspection data.

8. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as set forth in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the on-site data acquisition device includes an image acquisition device that acquires comb image data that captures the state of the combs of the passenger conveyor as the on-site data, and the communication device is configured to transmit the comb image data to the inspection server as the inspection data.

9. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the on-site data acquisition device includes a chain slack detection device that acquires, as the on-site data, a slack detection signal that detects the occurrence of an abnormal slack in the handrail chain of the passenger conveyor, and the communication device is configured to transmit the slack detection signal to the monitoring server as the monitoring data.

10. A remote inspection system for a passenger conveyor according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring server is provided with an alarm processing unit that issues an alarm when the slack detection signal is received.

11. A remote inspection system for passenger conveyors as described in claim 5, further comprising a system server accessible from the terminal device, the system server comprising a report creation processing unit that accepts input of the evidence data from the terminal device and reflects it in the contents of a report.

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