U.S. patent application number 09/259651 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for control system for apparatus repair information.
Invention is credited to FUKUMOTO, TETSUO, TACHIBANA, MASATOSHI, TAKAHASHI, KAZUO.
Application Number | 20020026265 09/259651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 12974055 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020026265 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKAHASHI, KAZUO ; et
al. |
February 28, 2002 |
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR APPARATUS REPAIR INFORMATION
Abstract
A machine repair information administering apparatus for
administering information concerning repair for plural kinds of
machines, is provided with a receiving device for receiving the
information concerning repair for a machine, a memory for
classifying and memorizing the information concerning repair for
the machine for each kind of the machine; and a transmitting device
for transmitting the information concerning repair for the machine
which is memorized by the memory.
Inventors: |
TAKAHASHI, KAZUO; (TOKYO,
JP) ; TACHIBANA, MASATOSHI; (TOKYO, JP) ;
FUKUMOTO, TETSUO; (TOKYO, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIERMAN MUSERLIAN AND LUCAS
600 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10016
|
Family ID: |
12974055 |
Appl. No.: |
09/259651 |
Filed: |
February 26, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/275 ;
702/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20130101;
G06K 2215/0085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/275 ;
702/185 |
International
Class: |
G06F 011/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 1998 |
JP |
054559/1998 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A machine repair information administering apparatus for
administering information concerning repair for plural kinds of
machines, comprising receiving means for receiving the information
concerning repair for a machine, memorizing means for classifying
and memorizing the information concerning repair for the machine
for each kind of the machine; and transmitting means for
transmitting the information concerning repair for the machine
which is memorized by the memorizing means.
2. The machine repair information administering apparatus of claim
1, wherein the machine is a medical appliance.
3. The machine repair information administering apparatus of claim
1, wherein the information concerning repair for the machine
comprises at least one of trouble information, information
concerning a machine to be repaired and counter measure
information.
4. The machine repair information administering apparatus of claim
1, wherein the memorizing means classifies and memorizes
information concerning section and parts of a machine for each kind
of machines, and the memorizing means correlates the information
concerning section and parts of a machine with the information
concerning repair for the kind of the machine and memorizes them on
the correlated state.
5. The machine repair information administering apparatus of claim
3, wherein the transmitting means transmits the information
concerning section and parts of a machine and the information
concerning repair for the kind of the machine on the correlated
state.
6. The machine repair information administering apparatus of claim
1, wherein the information concerning repair for a machine
comprises a repairing program, the memorizing means classifies and
memorizes the information concerning repair for the machine and
comprising the repairing program for each kind of machines, and the
transmitting means transmits the information concerning repair for
the machine and comprising the repairing program.
7. A machine repair information administering system for
administering information concerning repair for plural kinds of
machine, comprising receiving means for receiving the information
concerning repair for the machine, memorizing means for classifying
and memorizing the information concerning repair for the machine
for each kind of the machine; and transmitting means for
transmitting the information concerning repair for the machine
which is memorized by the memorizing means.
8. The machine repair information administering system of claim 7,
wherein the machine is a medical appliance.
9. The machine repair information administering system of claim 7,
wherein the information concerning repair for the machine comprises
at least one of trouble information, information concerning the
machine to be repaired and counter measure information.
10. The machine repair information administering system of claim 7,
wherein the memorizing means classifies and memorizes information
concerning section and parts of the machine for each kind of
machine, and the memorizing means correlates the information
concerning section and parts of the machine with the information
concerning repair for the kind of the machine and memorizes them on
the correlated state.
11. The machine repair information administering system of claim 9,
wherein the transmitting means transmits the information concerning
section and parts of the machine and the information concerning
repair for the kind of the machine on the correlated state.
12. The machine repair information administering system of claim 7,
wherein the information concerning repair for the machine comprises
a repairing program, the memorizing means classifies and memorizes
the information concerning repair for the machine and comprising
the repairing program for each kind of machine, and the
transmitting means transmits the information concerning repair for
the machine and comprising the repairing program.
13. The machine repair information administering system of claim 7,
further comprising output means; wherein the information concerning
repair for the machine comprises information concerning the machine
to be repaired and the output means outputs the kind of the machine
to be repaired on the basis of the information concerning the
machine to be repaired received by the receiving means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a control system for apparatus
repair information which makes maintenance and inspection easy.
[0002] An apparatus requiring maintenance and inspection, for
example, such as an automatic developing apparatus, a printer, and
a laser imager is installed in a medical institution such as a
hospital, an office and so forth. The maintenance and inspection of
such apparatus is carried out by a serviceman on the occasion of
receiving information of a trouble or in a periodical patrol.
[0003] In some cases, a fairly skilled serviceman can carry out the
maintenance and inspection by finding out the cause of the trouble
and the points of the trouble from the condition of the operation
or the situation of the trouble of the apparatus; however, in other
cases, for some servicemen or for some troubles, a repair manual
must be relied on.
[0004] Incidentally, apparatus are becoming more and more of high
precision, made complex, and multi-functioned, and the number of
pages of the repair manual has been increased accordingly, so that
a serviceman should take much trouble in opening the pertinent
page; thus, it has been difficult to cope with the request of users
sufficiently.
[0005] Further, some troubles are easy to occur in certain
apparatus; therefore, if these troubles can be foreseen and if it
can be found out how the repair should be made corresponding to the
troubles, the maintenance and inspection can be carried out quickly
and easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention has been done in view of the above-mentioned
real situation, and it is an object of it to provide a control
system for apparatus repair information which makes it possible to
carry out the maintenance and inspection of apparatus quickly and
easily.
[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem and to
accomplish the object, this invention has been made to have a
structure described in the following:
[0008] A administering apparatus for apparatus repair information
for administering the information concerning repair of apparatus,
comprising
[0009] receiving means for receiving said information concerning
repair of apparatus,
[0010] memorizing means for classifying and memorizing said
information concerning repair of apparatus received by said
receiving means for each kind of said apparatus, and
[0011] transmitting means for transmitting said information
concerning repair for each kind of said apparatus.
[0012] An administering system for apparatus repair information for
administering the information concerning repair of apparatus,
comprising
[0013] receiving means for receiving said information concerning
repair of apparatus,
[0014] memorizing means for classifying and memorizing said
information concerning repair of apparatus received by said
receiving means for each kind of said apparatus, and
[0015] transmitting means for transmitting said information
concerning repair for each kind of said apparatus.
[0016] Further, the above-mentioned object is accomplished also by
any one of the favorable structures described in the following:
[0017] (1) A control system for apparatus repair information for
controlling the information concerning repair of apparatus
comprising means for receiving the information concerning repair of
a plurality of kinds of apparatus transmitted through a
communication line, and memorizing means for memorizing this
information concerning repair of a plurality of kinds of apparatus
received by said receiving means for each kind of apparatus,
further comprising transmitting means capable of transmitting said
information concerning repair for each kind of apparatus memorized
by said memorizing means through a communication line.
[0018] According to the invention set forth in the paragraph (1),
by receiving the information concerning repair of a plurality of
kinds of apparatus transmitted through a communication line,
memorizing this received information concerning repair of a
plurality of kinds of apparatus for each kind of apparatus, and
transmitting said memorized information concerning repair for each
kind of apparatus through a communication line, the troubles which
are easy to occur in respective apparatus can be foreseen, and it
can be found out how the repair is to be done corresponding to the
troubles, because the information concerning repair of apparatus is
commonly utilized when repair of apparatus is made; hence, the
maintenance and inspection can be quickly and easily carried
out.
[0019] (2) A control system for apparatus repair information set
forth in the paragraph (1) wherein the aforesaid information
concerning repair of apparatus memorized for each kind of apparatus
is memorized in relation to the information concerning the portions
and/or the parts of apparatus which is memorized beforehand for
each kind of apparatus.
[0020] According to this invention described in the paragraph (2),
by relating the information concerning the repair of apparatus
memorized for each kind of apparatus to the information concerning
the portions and/or the parts of apparatus memorized beforehand for
each kind of apparatus, the troubles which are easy to occur for
respective apparatus can be foreseen and it is found out how the
repair should be made corresponding to the troubles on the basis of
the information concerning how in which apparatus, which portions
and/or which parts have been repaired, so that the maintenance and
inspection may be carried out quickly and easily.
[0021] (3) A control system for apparatus repair information set
forth in the paragraph (2) wherein the aforesaid information
concerning the repair for each kind of apparatus memorized by the
aforesaid memorizing means can be transmitted by the aforesaid
transmitting means through a communication line, in a condition
that it is related to the aforesaid information concerning the
portions and/or the parts of apparatus memorized beforehand for
each kind of apparatus.
[0022] According to this invention described in the paragraph (3),
when the repair of the portion and/or the parts of an apparatus is
going to be done, the apparatus repair information can be
transmitted to the apparatus side, in a condition that the
information concerning repair of apparatus memorized for each kind
of apparatus is related to the information concerning the portions
and/or the parts of apparatus memorized beforehand for each kind of
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the outline of a control system
for apparatus repair information;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the outline of the structure
wherein the control system for apparatus repair information is
applied to the repair of medical equipment;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the processing tank of an
automatic developing apparatus for medical use;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of every rack of the automatic
developing apparatus for medical use;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exploded developing
rack;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drying portion of the
automatic developing apparatus for medical use;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drying portion;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exploded drying portion;
and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the temperature control of the
drying portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] In the following, the embodiment of the control system for
apparatus repair information of this invention will be explained in
detail with reference to the drawings.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the outline of a control system
for apparatus repair information.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, this control system for apparatus repair
information comprises the receiving means 1 for receiving the
information concerning repair of a plurality of kinds of apparatus
transmitted through a communication line (A telephone line or the
like can be available, and both wire and wireless one will do
well.), the memorizing means 2 for memorizing the information
concerning repair of a plurality of kinds of apparatus received by
this receiving means 1 for each kind of apparatus, and the
transmitting means 3 capable of transmitting the information
concerning repair for each kind of apparatus memorized by the
memorizing means 2 to the apparatus side through a communication
line. This control system for apparatus repair information carries
out information give-and-take with the computer 10 or the computer
21 provided in the apparatus 20.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the outline of the structure
wherein the control system is applied to medical equipment. In
addition, it is shown herein an example in which the system is
applied to medical equipment, however, the invention is not
confined to this. Medical equipment means literally equipment used
in medical service. For example, a laser imager for medical use, an
automatic developing apparatus for medical use, a CT scan
apparatus, an MRI apparatus, a digital radiography apparatus, and
so forth can be cited.
[0036] The control apparatus or system for apparatus repair
information of this embodiment is the one for controlling the
information concerning repair of medical apparatus; the apparatus,
for example, two automatic developing apparatus for medical use of
the same kind 30, the automatic developing apparatus of another
kind 31, the laser imagers 34 and 35, the HIS apparatus, the RIS
apparatus 43, the CT scan apparatus 42, the MRI apparatus 41, the
laser imager 36 connected to the network 44 having the digital
radiography apparatus 40, the personal computer 38, the portable
information terminal 37, and so forth are capable of transmitting
and receiving information to and from the server 44 which is the
control apparatus for apparatus repair information. Of course, it
may be appropriate that they are made to be capable of being
connected and disconnected to and from the server. Further, the
personal computer 39 is not connected to the server, but carries
out give-and-take of information with it through an information
recording medium such as a floppy disk and a Zip. In addition, in
this embodiment, the control apparatus for apparatus repair
information is the server 44. Furthermore, the control system for
apparatus repair information has only to comprise at least the
server 44; thus, the server 44 may be interpreted as the control
system for apparatus repair information, the server 44 and the
laser imager 36 may be interpreted as the control system for
apparatus repair information, or the whole equipment shown in FIG.
2 may be interpreted as the control system for apparatus repair
information. Besides, although it is not described here, an
apparatus for medical use such as a laser imager itself may be made
also to have a function of the server, that is, an apparatus for
medical use such as a laser imager may be the control system for
apparatus repair information.
[0037] Further, for the transmitting means and the receiving means
referred to herein, for example, an analogue modem can be cited.
Furthermore, in the case where a wire or wireless digital
communication line is used, a signal converting means suitable for
the data of each network can be used as the transmitting means and
the receiving means. For instance, a network card, a TA, an ATM, a
PIAFS, an ASDL and so forth can be used. However, it should not be
confined to these.
[0038] Further, for the memorizing means referred to herein, for
example, a memory, various kinds of RAM's (including a DRAM, an
SDRAM, a flash memory, a miniature card, a compact flash, a smart
medium, a PC card, and so forth), and a hard disk, or a digital
information recording medium such as a CDRW, a CD-R, an MT, a DAT,
an FD, an MD, an MO, a DVD and the recording apparatus for them can
be used. However, it should not be confined to these. Especially,
it is favorable to use a memory, a RAM, or a hard disk.
Furthermore, it may be appropriate that the classification of the
apparatus into the respective kinds may be carried out by means of
a CPU, a DSP, a custom IC or the like. In this case, the memorizing
means which classifies and memorizes the information concerning
repair of apparatus for each kind of apparatus is interpreted as
the combination of the memorizing means shown as examples in the
above and a CPU, a DSP, or a custom IC.
[0039] Every apparatus has a built-in computer, or is provided with
a computer as a signal transmitting means and a signal receiving
means.
[0040] For instance, when a trouble occurs in the automatic
developing apparatus for medical use 30, a serviceman makes repair
of the trouble portions, and the information concerning how the
automatic developing apparatus for medical use 30 have been
repaired is transmitted from the automatic developing apparatus for
medical use 30 side to the control system for apparatus repair
information through a communication line and is received by the
receiving means 1. To state it concretely, the information
concerning how in which apparatus, which portions and/or parts have
been repaired is transmitted and received.
[0041] It is favorable that, in this control system for apparatus
repair information, the information concerning repair of apparatus
memorized for each kind of apparatus is memorized in the memorizing
means 2 in relation to the information concerning the portions
and/or the parts of apparatus memorized beforehand for each kind of
apparatus. By relating the information concerning repair of
apparatus memorized for each kind of apparatus to the information
concerning the portions and/or parts of apparatus memorized
beforehand for each kind of apparatus, the apparatus repair
information can be transmitted to the apparatus side when the
portions and/or the parts of an apparatus are about to be
repaired.
[0042] It is favorable that, from the control system for apparatus
repair information, when the portions and/or the parts of an
apparatus is about to be repaired, the information concerning
repair of apparatus memorized in the memorizing means 2 for each
kind of apparatus is transmitted through a communication line by
the transmitting means 3 in a condition that it is related to the
information concerning the portions and/or the parts of apparatus
memorized beforehand for each kind of apparatus.
[0043] In this way, by relating the information concerning the
repair of apparatus memorized for each kind of apparatus to the
information concerning the portions and/or the parts of apparatus
memorized beforehand for each kind of apparatus, the troubles which
are easy to occur for respective apparatus can be foreseen and it
is found out how the repair should be made corresponding to the
troubles on the basis of the information concerning how in which
apparatus, which portions and/or which parts have been repaired, so
that the maintenance and inspection may be carried out quickly and
easily.
[0044] It is favorable, in transmitting and receiving the
information concerning repair of apparatus memorized for each kind
of apparatus, to use the information specifying the apparatus, the
information specifying the portions of apparatus, and the
information specifying the parts of apparatus that are to be
commonly used among the apparatus, the PC's, and the control system
for apparatus repair information. By doing this, the apparatus
repair information is easily related to the information concerning
the portions and/or parts of apparatus memorized beforehand in the
memorizing means 3 of the control system for apparatus repair
information.
[0045] In this way, when an apparatus is going to be repaired, by
receiving the information concerning repair of a plurality of kinds
of apparatus transmitted through a communication line, memorizing
this received information concerning repair of a plurality of kinds
of apparatus for each kind of apparatus, and transmitting this
memorized information concerning repair for each kind of apparatus
to the apparatus side through a communication line, the troubles
that are easy to occur for respective apparatus can be foreseen,
and it is found out how the repair is to be done corresponding to
the troubles, because the information concerning repair of
apparatus is commonly utilized; hence, the maintenance and
inspection can be quickly and easily carried out.
[0046] In the following, as an apparatus utilized in the control
system for apparatus repair information, a concrete embodiment of
an automatic developing apparatus for medical use is shown in FIG.
3 to FIG. 9. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the processing tank of
the automatic developing apparatus for medical use, FIG. 4 is a
perspective view of every rack of the automatic developing
apparatus for medical use, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the
exploded developing rack, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the
drying portion of the automatic developing apparatus for medical
use, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drying portion, FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the exploded drying portion, and FIG. 9 is
a drawing showing the temperature control portion of the drying
portion.
[0047] In the mainframe 300 of the automatic developing apparatus
for medical use 30, there are provided the processing tank 301 and
the drying portion 302, and the processing tank 301 is composed of
the developing tank 310, the fixing tank 311, and the water-washing
tank 312. In the developing tank 310, the fixing tank 311, and the
water-washing tank 312 of the processing tank 310, the developing
rack 320, the fixing rack 321, and the water-washing rack 322 which
are shown in FIG. 4 are disposed respectively, and in the drying
portion 302, the drying rack shown in FIG. 4 is disposed. Further,
the developing-and-fixing connecting rack 324 is disposed between
the developing rack 320 and the fixing rack 321, and the
fixing-and-water-washing connecting rack 325 is disposed between
the fixing rack 321 and the water-washing rack 322, and further the
squeezing rack 326 is disposed between the water-washing rack 322
and the drying rack 323.
[0048] In the apparatus mainframe 300, there is provided the
driving worm 340, by which the developing rack 320, the fixing rack
321, and the water-washing rack 322 are driven. In the developing
tank 310, there are provided the fixing liquid surface sensor S2
and the developing liquid replenishing pipe 346. In the fixing tank
311, there are provided the fixing liquid surface sensor S2 and the
fixing liquid replenishing pipe 341. In the water-washing tank 312,
there are provided the washing water surface sensor S3, the washing
water supplying pipe 342, and the fur preventing agent 343.
Further, in the apparatus mainframe 300, there are disposed the
suction opening 350, the film sensor S4, the interlock switches S5
and S6, and the internal piping for exclusive use 351.
[0049] The developing rack 320 is made up in such a manner as shown
in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, having a structure such that the transport
rollers 402 and the transport guides 403 are supported by the side
plates 400 and 401. The fixing rack 321 and the water-washing rack
322 are both made up in the same manner as the developing rack;
hence, the detailed drawings are omitted.
[0050] The drying rack 323 of the drying portion 302 has the air
nozzles 501 disposed at the both sides of the heat rollers 500, and
drying air is blown against the photosensitive material from these
air nozzles 501. On each of the heat rollers 500, there are
provided the over-heat switch SW1 and the heat roller thermistor
SW2 as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. At one side of the drying rack
323, the high pressure duct 510 is disposed, and at the other side
of it, the connector for the sensors 511 and the connector for
heaters 512 are disposed.
[0051] The drying rack 323 is made up in such a manner as shown in
FIG. 8, that is, has a structure such that the heat rollers 500 are
supported by the side plates 600 and 601; in addition, the air
nozzles 501 are omitted in FIG. 8.
[0052] The troubles which occur in the automatic developing
apparatus shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 9 are as follows: in this
embodiment, an example of something wrong with the processing tank
301 and that with the drying portion 302 will be explained.
[0053] `AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE PROCESSING TANK 301`
Error: E-01 Abnormal developing temperature rise
[0054] Set condition:
[0055] Temperature exceeds the determined temperature +0.3.degree.
C. continuously for 10 minutes (in case of change of determined
temperature, within an hour)
[0056] Cause:
[0057] (1) the water supply valve is closed
[0058] (2) temperature of cooling water is high
[0059] (3) the electromagnetic valve for cooling and automatic
draining does not turn on
[0060] Reset condition:
[0061] Determined temperature +0.3.gtoreq. actual temperature
[0062] Measures:
[0063] (1) Open the water supply valve
[0064] (2) Attach a cooling unit
[0065] (3) Confirm that the liquid in the water-washing tank is
drained by opening the electromagnetic valve in the output test
mode No. 13
[0066] (4) The LED 9 on the SSR board
[0067] On: Check the conduction from the electromagnetic valve for
cooling and automatic draining, and check the SSR 9,
[0068] Off: Something wrong with the CPU board, or something wrong
with the cable to the SSR board.
[0069] When a serviceman finishes the repair, he transmits the
information concerning the repair from the automatic developing
apparatus for medical use side; further, in the control system for
apparatus repair information, it is received and memorized in the
memorizing means 2 in relation to the information concerning, for
example, the processing tank as the portion of apparatus, that, in
case of the abnormal developing temperature rise, if the cause is,
for example, (2) that the temperature of the cooling water is high,
a cooling unit is attached as the measure (2).
[0070] In this kind of automatic developing apparatus for medical
use, an abnormal developing temperature rise occurs as described in
the above; a serviceman receives the information concerning repair
for each kind of apparatus memorized in the receiving means from
the control system for apparatus repair information through a
communication line, in a condition that it is related to the
information concerning the portions of apparatus memorized
beforehand for each kind of apparatus. From this received
information, if it is found out that, in this kind of automatic
developing apparatus for medical use, in the processing portion for
example, it is often the case that the cause of the trouble is that
(2) the temperature of cooling water is high, the serviceman first
carries out the measure (2) attaching a cooling unit, and if the
developing temperature rise disappears, the repair has been
finished; thus, the maintenance and inspection can be carried out
quickly and easily.
[0071] When this repair is finished, it is transmitted to the
control system for apparatus repair information, the information
that, in the automatic developing apparatus for medical use, in the
case where abnormal developing temperature rise has occurred in the
processing tank, repair has been made by attaching a cooling unit.
In the control system for apparatus repair information, this
transmitted information is memorized in the memorizing means 2 as
the information concerning repair of apparatus to be memorized for
each kind of apparatus in the case of this kind of automatic
developing apparatus for medical use, in relation to the
information concerning the portion of apparatus, i.e., the
processing tank and the parts related to the abnormal developing
temperature rise.
[0072] `AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DRYING
PORTION`Error: E-12 trouble in the thermistor for warm air
drying
[0073] Set conditions:
[0074] Trouble signal of the thermistor for warm air drying turns
on
[0075] Heater for warm air drying turns off
[0076] Cause:
[0077] (1) JP11 of the CPU board or JP 83 of the temperature
control board is disengaged or the lead wire is cut off
[0078] (2) Thermistor for warm air drying is wrong
[0079] Reset condition:
[0080] Trouble signal of the thermistor for warm air drying turns
off
[0081] Measures:
[0082] (1) Insert the connector
[0083] (2) Check the conduction between JP11 of the CPU board and
JP 83 of the temperature control board
[0084] (3) Check the conduction of the lead wire to the thermistor
for warm air drying:
[0085] In case of resistance equal to or higher than 38 K.OMEGA.,
the sensor is wrong,
[0086] In case of resistance lower than that, the temperature
control board is wrong.
[0087] When a serviceman finishes the repair, he transmits the
information concerning the repair from the automatic developing
apparatus for medical use side; further, in the control system for
apparatus repair information, it is received and memorized in the
memorizing means 2 in relation to the information concerning, for
example, the thermistor for warm air drying as the parts in the
drying portion of the apparatus, that, in case of the trouble of
the thermistor for warm air drying, for example, (2) the thermistor
for warm air drying is wrong as the cause, and (2) the conduction
between the JP11 of the CPU board and the JP83 of the temperature
control board is checked as the measure.
[0088] In this kind of automatic developing apparatus for medical
use, a trouble of the thermistor for warm air drying occurs as
described in the above; a serviceman receives the information
concerning repair for each kind of apparatus memorized in the
receiving means from the control system for apparatus repair
information through a communication line, in a condition that it is
related to the information concerning the portions of apparatus
memorized beforehand for each kind of apparatus. From this received
information, if it is found out that, in this kind of automatic
developing apparatus for medical use, it is often the case that the
cause of the trouble is that, as the parts in the drying portion
for example, (2) the thermistor for warm air drying is wrong, the
serviceman first carries out the measure (3) checking the
conduction of the lead wire to the thermistor for warm air drying,
and judges that the sensor is wrong or the temperature control
board is wrong according as the resistance is not lower than 38
K.OMEGA. or it is lower than that, doing the measure, and when the
thermistor for warm air drying becomes normal, the repair has been
finished; thus, the maintenance and inspection can be carried out
quickly and easily.
[0089] When this repair is finished, it is transmitted to the
control system for apparatus repair information, the information
that, in the automatic developing apparatus for medical use, in the
case where a trouble of the thermistor for warm air drying in the
drying portion has occurred, repair has been made by (3) checking
the conduction of the lead wire to the thermistor for warm air
drying and making the measure through judging that the sensor is
wrong or the temperature control board is wrong according as the
resistance is not lower than 38 K.OMEGA. or it is lower than that.
In the control system for apparatus repair information, this
transmitted information is memorized in the memorizing means 2 as
the information concerning repair of apparatus to be memorized for
each kind of apparatus in the case of this kind of automatic
developing apparatus for medical use, in relation to the
information concerning the portion of apparatus, i.e., the drying
portion and the parts of the thermistor for warm air drying.
[0090] The embodiment of the invention which has been explained up
to now is the one showing the case where the information concerning
repair of apparatus contains information concerning a machine to be
repaired (the kind of the repaired apparatus), the information on
the portion and/or the part of the apparatus which has required
repair (the kind of the repaired portion and/or the part), the
counter measure information (the information concerning by what
kind of measures the repair has been made), and the trouble
information (the kind of the trouble or abnormality and/or the kind
of the cause of the trouble or abnormality). Further, it is the
embodiment wherein an apparatus for medical service is used as the
apparatus.
[0091] In other words, after an apparatus has been repaired, the
above-mentioned information concerning repair of the apparatus is
transmitted through being inputted by a person from the inputting
means of the control system for apparatus repair information, that
is, the inputting means such as the keyboard or the buttons of the
apparatus for medical service, the keyboard of the personal
computer, or the portable information terminal. Further, it may be
appropriate that, when the apparatus for medical service has been
repaired, the apparatus for medical service automatically
discriminates the portion repaired and automatically transmits the
information concerning the repair of the apparatus for medical
service.
[0092] Then, the receiving means of the server, which is the
control apparatus or system for apparatus repair information
receives those bits of information, and they are classified into
the respective kinds of apparatus and memorized in the memorizing
means as some bits of the information concerning repair of a
plurality of apparatus, on the basis of the information on the
apparatus which has required repair.
[0093] Further, when an apparatus for medical service has got out
of order, through inputting by a person that the information
concerning repair of apparatus is required from the inputting means
such as the keyboard or the buttons of the apparatus having a
trouble, the keyboard of the personal computer, the portable
information terminal, or the like, the information concerning
repair of apparatus corresponding to the apparatus for medical
service having a trouble memorized in the memorizing means of the
server is read and transmitted by the transmitting means of the
server. Thus, the information concerning repair of apparatus such
as the information on the trouble and the information on the
measures is displayed on the outputting means of the control system
for apparatus repair information, that is, the monitor of the
apparatus for medical service, the personal computer, or the
potable information terminal, and the person who makes the repair
can carry out it on the basis of the information displayed.
[0094] By doing this, the information concerning repair of
apparatus is added from time to time, and the experiences of repair
can be made to be commonly utilized, so that even a person who is
not familiar with the apparatus can exactly repair the apparatus.
Further, the measures to be done can be determined quickly on the
spot of repair of the apparatus. Therefore, time and cost is
reduced to a large extent. Moreover, by accumulating the
information concerning the kinds and the portions of the apparatus
that have had a trouble, the kinds of the troubles, and so forth,
the information concerning which apparatus is easy to get out of
order, and which portion of which apparatus is easy to get out of
order can be known statistically; hence, the points causing trouble
in respective apparatus can be promptly found out.
[0095] Furthermore, it may be appropriate that the apparatus that
has got out of order automatically recognizes the trouble and
transmits the information that the apparatus has got out of order,
the information on the apparatus which has required repair, the
information on the trouble, and so forth to the server, and the
receiving means of the server receives them, and the information on
the measures etc. corresponding to said apparatus are read from the
memorizing means and transmitted from the transmitting means to
said apparatus having the trouble and other apparatus such as the
personal computer. In that case also, the information on the
apparatus which has required repair, the information on the
trouble, and so forth that have been received are classified into
those bits of information for respective apparatus and memorized by
the memorizing means.
[0096] Further, as another example of the embodiment, it is
considered the case, for example, where the control system for
apparatus repair information comprises at least a server 44 and a
laser imager 36 which has a function of a network. The network 45
having a laser imager 36 at its center often stops wholly when one
of the apparatus for medical service (a CT scan apparatus for
example) has got out of order. In such a case, the apparatus that
has got out of order must be promptly recognized. First, the
apparatus that has got out of order (the CT scan apparatus 42)
transmits the information concerning repair of apparatus including
the information on the apparatus which has required repair, and the
receiving means of the control system for apparatus repair
information, that is, the receiving means of the laser imager 36
receives the information concerning repair of apparatus including
the information on the apparatus which has required repair. Then,
the name of the apparatus that has got out of order is displayed on
the outputting means of the control system for apparatus repair
information, that is, the liquid crystal panel of the laser imager
36 on the basis of the information on the apparatus which has
required repair received by the receiving means. Owing to this, the
apparatus that has got out of order (the CT scan apparatus) can be
promptly recognized and it becomes possible to restore the network
45 quickly. Further, at the same time of the above-mentioned
operation, the laser imager 36 transmits the information concerning
repair of apparatus from the transmitting means of the laser imager
36, and the receiving means of the server 44 receives it and the
information concerning the repair of the apparatus is classified
into the corresponding kind of the apparatus and memorized in the
memorizing means of the server 44.
[0097] Further, in the case also where the control system for
apparatus repair information is composed of the server 44 and the
personal computer 38 or the portable information terminal, the
similar operation can be performed. For example, the receiving
means of the server 44 receives the information concerning repair
of apparatus including the information on the apparatus which has
required repair. Then, it transmits the information to the personal
computer 38 or the portable information terminal 37, and the name
of the apparatus that has got out of order is displayed on the
outputting means of the personal computer 38 or the portable
information terminal 37, that is, the monitor of the personal
computer 38 or the portable information terminal 37, on the basis
of the information on the apparatus which has required repair
received by the receiving means.
[0098] As the way of outputting, it may be appropriate to display
the name of the apparatus which has required repair on the monitor
or the liquid crystal panel, or to print out the name of the
apparatus which has required repair by a printer. Of course, any
way of outputting may be used that can make the apparatus which has
required repair be recognized.
[0099] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the invention, it will
be explained in the following the case where a repair program is
handled for the information concerning repair of apparatus. For
example, in the case where the software has got out of order in the
laser imager 34 in FIG. 2, the information concerning repair of
apparatus such as the information that the apparatus has got out of
order, the information on the apparatus which has required repair,
the information on the trouble is transmitted to the server 44,
automatically from the laser imager 34, or by a person from the
personal computer 38 or the portable information terminal 37. The
server 44 has a repair program for restoring or exchanging the
software memorized in the memorizing means. Then, when the
receiving means of the server 44 receives the information
concerning repair of apparatus, the repair program corresponding to
it is read out from the memorizing means and is transmitted from
the transmitting means of the server 44 to the laser imager 34.
Thus, owing to the repair program, the software of the laser imager
34 that has got out of order is automatically restored. Further,
the received information concerning repair of apparatus is
classified into the corresponding kind of the apparatus and is
memorized in the memorizing means of the server 44.
[0100] As has been described in the foregoing, according to the
invention set forth in the aforesaid paragraph (1), by receiving
the information concerning repair of a plurality of kinds of
apparatus transmitted through a communication line, memorizing this
received information concerning repair of a plurality of kinds of
apparatus for each kind of apparatus, and transmitting said
memorized information concerning repair for each kind of apparatus
through a communication line, the troubles which are easy to occur
in respective apparatus can be foreseen, and it can be found out
how the repair is to be done corresponding to the troubles, because
the information concerning repair of apparatus is commonly utilized
when repair of apparatus is made; hence, the maintenance and
inspection can be quickly and easily carried out.
[0101] According to the invention set forth in the aforesaid
paragraph (2), by relating the information concerning the repair of
apparatus memorized for each kind of apparatus to the information
concerning the portions and/or the parts of apparatus memorized
beforehand for each kind of apparatus, the troubles which are easy
to occur for respective apparatus can be foreseen and it is found
out how the repair should be made corresponding to the troubles on
the basis of the information concerning how in which apparatus,
which portions and/or which parts have been repaired; hence, the
maintenance and inspection can be carried out quickly and
easily.
[0102] According to the invention set forth in the aforesaid
paragraph (3), when the repair of the portion and/or the parts of
an apparatus is going to be done, the apparatus repair information
can be transmitted to the apparatus side, in a condition that the
information concerning repair of apparatus memorized for each kind
of apparatus is related to the information concerning the portions
and/or the parts of apparatus memorized beforehand for each kind of
apparatus.
[0103] Further, a control program, which is installed in a server
or the like, for controlling the information concerning repair of
apparatus recorded in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-RW,
a CD-R, an MT, a DAT, an FD, an MD, an MO, and a DVD can be used as
a control apparatus or system for apparatus repair information
controlling the information concerning repair of apparatus.
[0104] In addition, the control program for apparatus repair
information controlling the information concerning repair of
apparatus has a function to make the receiving means of the server
receive the information concerning repair of apparatus, to make the
memorizing means classify and memorize for each kind of apparatus
the information concerning repair of apparatus received by the
receiving means, and to make the transmitting means transmit the
information concerning repair for each kind of apparatus memorized
in the memorizing means.
[0105] The disclosed embodiment can be varied by a skilled person
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *