U.S. patent application number 16/976459 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-07 for inspection support method, inspection support apparatus, and inspection support program.
The applicant listed for this patent is KONIOLTA MINOLTA, INC.. Invention is credited to Hisanori KAWASHIMA, Ryo MINEGISHI, Takashi OHTA, Yasuhiro OKAMOTO, Shunsuke TAKAMURA.
Application Number | 20210003983 16/976459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2021-01-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210003983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKAMOTO; Yasuhiro ; et
al. |
January 7, 2021 |
Inspection Support Method, Inspection Support Apparatus, and
Inspection Support Program
Abstract
Provided are an inspection support method, inspection support
apparatus, and inspection support program that are able to
efficiently make an inspection plan for a production facility. The
inspection support method is a method on inspection of a gas or
petroleum-related production facility, the inspection support
method including: receiving registration of producer information on
a producer that owns or manages the production facility; receiving
registration of production facility information on the production
facility; receiving registration of inspector information on each
of a plurality of inspector candidates that are candidates to
inspect the production facility; acquiring the registered
production facility information on the production facility;
acquiring the registered inspector candidate information on the
inspector candidate; and outputting inspection-related information,
containing inspection schedule information on a schedule of
inspection of the production facility by the inspector candidate,
based on the acquired production facility information and the
acquired inspector candidate information.
Inventors: |
OKAMOTO; Yasuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KAWASHIMA; Hisanori; (Tokyo, JP) ;
MINEGISHI; Ryo; (Tokyo, JP) ; TAKAMURA; Shunsuke;
(Tokyo, JP) ; OHTA; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONIOLTA MINOLTA, INC. |
Chiyoda-ku |
|
JP |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
16/976459 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
December 14, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2018/046120 |
371 Date: |
August 27, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
International
Class: |
G05B 19/042 20060101
G05B019/042; G01N 21/3518 20060101 G01N021/3518; G06T 7/00 20060101
G06T007/00; G06T 7/90 20060101 G06T007/90 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 29, 2018 |
JP |
2018-202999 |
Claims
1.-21. (canceled)
22. A management method for inspection information on inspection of
a gas or petroleum-related production facility, the management
method comprising: receiving input of an operation to issue a
browsing request to browse the inspection information from a
producer; reading out the stored inspection information and
position information of the production facility based on the
browsing request for the production facility that is a subject of
browsing; generating a display image indicating the inspection
information and the production facility based on the position
information on a map of an area containing the production facility
that is the subject of browsing; and outputting the display
image.
23. The management method for inspection information according to
claim 22, wherein the inspection information contains at least one
of whether there is a gas leak, whether a gas leak has been
repaired, and information on an inspection due date.
24. The management method for inspection information according to
claim 23, wherein the display image indicates the inspection
information by changing a display mode according to the inspection
information.
25. The management method for inspection information according to
claim 24, wherein the display image indicates the inspection
information by coloring according to the inspection
information.
26. The management method for inspection information according to
claim 24, wherein, when a period to an inspection due date of the
production facility is shorter than or equal to a predetermined
period, the display image highlights the production facility.
27. The management method for inspection information according to
claim 23, wherein the display image indicates the production
facility by an icon.
28. The management method for inspection information according to
claim 22, further comprising: receiving designation input to
designate a size of a display region of the map in the display
image; and generating the display image based on the designation
input, wherein when the designated size of the display region is
greater than a predetermined magnification, a display image
indicating the production facility component by component in the
production facility is generated.
29. A management apparatus for inspection information on inspection
of a gas or petroleum-related production facility, the management
apparatus comprising: a hardware processor receiving a browsing
request to browse the inspection information from a producer,
reading out the stored inspection information and position
information of the production facility based on the browsing
request for the production facility that is a subject of browsing,
generating a display image indicating the inspection information
and the production facility based on the position information on a
map of an area containing the production facility that is the
subject of browsing, and outputting the display image.
30. The management apparatus for inspection information according
to claim 29, wherein the inspection information contains at least
one of whether there is a gas leak, whether a gas leak has been
repaired, and information on an inspection due date.
31. The management apparatus for inspection information according
to claim 30, wherein the hardware processor generates the display
image indicating the inspection information by changing a display
mode according to the inspection information.
32. The management apparatus for inspection information according
to claim 31, wherein the hardware processor generates the display
image indicating the inspection information by coloring according
to the inspection information.
33. The management apparatus for inspection information according
to claim 31, wherein the hardware processor, when a period to an
inspection due date of the production facility is shorter than or
equal to a predetermined period, generates the display image
highlighting the production facility.
34. The management apparatus for inspection information according
to claim 30, wherein the hardware processor generates the display
image indicating the production facility by an icon.
35. The management apparatus for inspection information according
to claim 29, wherein the hardware processor receives designation
input to designate a size of a display region of the map in the
display image, generates the display image based on the designation
input, and, when the designated size of the display region is
greater than a predetermined magnification, generates a display
image indicating the production facility component by component in
the production facility.
36. A management system for inspection information on inspection of
a gas or petroleum-related production facility, the management
system comprising: a memory storing the inspection information on
inspection of a plurality of the production facilities that are
subjects of inspection, and position information of the production
facilities; the management apparatus of claim 29, connected to the
memory; and a terminal including: an operation input section
receiving a browsing request to browse the inspection information
from a producer; and a display displaying the display image output
from the management apparatus.
37. The management system for inspection information according to
claim 36, wherein the hardware processor of the management
apparatus authenticates a connection request from the producer, and
reads out the inspection information and position information of
the production facility associated with the producer for the
browsing request from the authenticated producer.
38. The management system for inspection information according to
claim 36, wherein the inspection information contains at least one
of whether there is a gas leak, whether a gas leak has been
repaired, and information on an inspection due date.
39. The management system for inspection information according to
claim 38, wherein the hardware processor generates the display
image indicating the inspection information by changing a display
mode according to the inspection information.
40. The management system for inspection information according to
claim 39, wherein the hardware processor generates the display
image indicating the inspection information by coloring according
to the inspection information.
41. The management system for inspection information according to
claim 38, wherein the hardware processor generates the display
image indicating the production facility by an icon.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection support
method, an inspection support apparatus, and an inspection support
program.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] For example, in production equipment that produces natural
gas or petroleum or production plants that produce chemicals by
using gas, pipes and apparatuses through which gas flows are
arranged in huge sites. Hereinafter, production equipment and
production plants are referred to as "production facilities".
[0003] Leak of gas in production facilities may lead to, for
example, explosion, accelerating global warming, or adversely
affecting health. For this reason, inspectors regularly make the
rounds in sites and perform an inspection for gas leak in
production facilities. In addition, an inspection of production
facilities is also performed in an emergency, such as in the event
of earthquake.
[0004] For example, PTL 1 describes a gas leak detection apparatus
that detects a gas leak in an inspection area by using the infrared
absorption characteristics of gas.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[0005] PTL 1 WO 2016/143754
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] Incidentally, when an order is placed with a specific
inspector (including an inspection company) for an inspection of a
production facility, schedules may conflict between the inspector
and a producer (a person or company that manages (hereinafter,
including "owns") the production facility).
[0007] Performing an inspection under an unreasonable schedule may
lead to a decrease in the quality of inspection, such as missing a
gas leak, with the result that the trust of a producer may be lost.
In addition, there is a problem that a low-quality inspection may
not meet the requirements of laws and regulations on an inspection
of a production facility.
[0008] Because of coincidence of an increase in petroleum gas
production with application of more stringent laws and regulations
on gas leak inspections and the problem of the aging of inspectors,
there also occurs a problem that it is difficult to find inspectors
having a certain level of skill. Furthermore, because of the aging
of production facilities, and the like, it is conceivable that
subjects of production facilities required for inspection and the
frequency of inspection (the count of inspections) increase.
Therefore, it is required to efficiently make inspection plans for
production facilities.
[0009] When an inspector cannot receive an order for inspection
because of a schedule conflict between the inspector and a
producer, or when the count of orders for inspection that an
inspector receives because of irregularities of the time of
schedule matching and the time of schedule conflict is uneven, it
is difficult to efficiently make an inspection plan for a
production facility.
[0010] In a situation in which the count of inspections of an
inspector increases, schedule conflicts generally often occur
between the inspector and a producer, so there is a problem that it
is significantly difficult to efficiently make an inspection plan
for a production facility and, by extension, to raise the
efficiency of inspection of the production facility.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
inspection support method, inspection support apparatus, and
inspection support program that are able to efficiently make an
inspection plan for a production facility.
Solution to Problem
[0012] An inspection support method according to the present
invention is a method on inspection of a gas or petroleum-related
production facility, the inspection support method comprising:
[0013] receiving registration of producer information on a producer
that owns or manages the production facility;
[0014] receiving registration of production facility information on
the production facility;
[0015] receiving registration of inspector information on each of a
plurality of inspector candidates that are candidates to inspect
the production facility;
[0016] acquiring the registered production facility information on
the production facility;
[0017] acquiring the registered inspector candidate information on
the inspector candidate; and
[0018] outputting inspection-related information containing
inspection schedule information on a schedule of inspection of the
production facility by the inspector candidate, based on the
acquired production facility information and the acquired inspector
candidate information.
[0019] An inspection support apparatus comprises:
[0020] a communication section receiving producer information on a
producer that owns or manages a production facility associated with
gas or petroleum, production facility information on the production
facility, and inspector candidate information on an inspector
candidate that is a candidate to inspect the production
facility;
[0021] a storage section storing the producer information, the
production facility information, and the inspector candidate
information;
[0022] a production facility information acquisition section
acquiring the production facility information from the storage
section;
[0023] an inspector candidate information acquisition section
acquiring the inspector candidate information from the storage
section; and
[0024] an inspection-related information output section outputting
inspection-related information, containing inspection schedule
information on a schedule of inspection of the production facility
by the inspector candidate, based on the acquired production
facility information and the acquired inspector candidate
information.
[0025] An inspection support program is a program for causing a
computer to execute processes, the processes comprising:
[0026] a process of acquiring production facility information on a
production facility associated with gas or petroleum;
[0027] a process of acquiring inspector candidate information on an
inspector candidate that is a candidate to inspect the production
facility; and
[0028] a process of outputting inspection-related information,
containing inspection schedule information on a schedule of
inspection of the production facility by the inspector candidate,
based on the acquired production facility information and the
acquired inspector candidate information.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0029] According to the present invention, an inspection plan for a
production facility is efficiently made.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
inspection support system including an inspection support apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of
selecting an inspector that performs an inspection of a production
facility;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
inspection support system according to a first modification;
[0033] FIG. 4 is an appearance view schematically showing the
configuration of the inspection support system according to the
first modification;
[0034] FIG. 5A is a view showing an example of a case where a
production facility and an inspector are displayed on a map;
[0035] FIG. 5B is a view showing image capture point positions and
image capture directions in an area in which a plurality of
production facilities is arranged;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of
outputting inspection support information for a production
facility;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of a process of
creating an inspection record from results of an inspection of a
production facility;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an inspection report
displayed in map;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a plurality of
facilities displayed in a magnified view on a display screen;
and
[0040] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for
automatically making an inspection plan.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with
reference to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the
configuration of inspection support system 100 including inspection
support apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Inspection
support system 100 is a system that individually provides various
pieces of information on inspections of production facilities to a
plurality of companies that own or manage the production facilities
and a plurality of inspectors or inspection companies that perform
inspections of the production facilities. Here, production
facilities are petroleum or gas-related production equipment, in
details, production facilities that produce natural gas or
petroleum or production facilities that produce chemicals by using
gas, and, more specifically, for example, well facilities and gas
piping equipment.
[0042] In the present embodiment, companies that manage production
facilities register company information and information on the
managing production facilities in inspection support apparatus 1 by
using inspection support system 100. Inspectors or inspection
companies register information on the inspectors or inspection
companies in inspection support apparatus 1 by using inspection
support system 100. Inspection support system 100 selects an
inspector or an inspection company that satisfies a predetermined
condition from among the plurality of registered inspectors or
inspection companies. In the following description, "companies that
manage production facilities" are referred to as "producers".
Inspectors or inspection companies are typically referred to as
"inspectors". Inspectors before being selected by inspection
support system 100 are particularly referred to as "inspector
candidates". Gas leak inspections of production facilities are
simply referred to as "inspections".
[0043] Inspection support system 100 includes inspection support
apparatus 1, producer terminals 2, and inspector candidate
terminals 3. Producer terminal 2 is arranged for each producer, and
producer terminals 2A, 2B are respectively arranged for different
producers. The same applies to inspector candidate terminal 3, and
inspector candidate terminals 3A, 3B, 3C are respectively arranged
for different inspectors. The number of producer terminals 2 and
the number of inspector candidate terminals 3, shown in FIG. 1, are
illustrative and are present according to the number of registered
producers and the number of registered inspectors. Alternatively, a
plurality of terminals may be arranged for one producer or one
inspector.
[0044] A communication between inspection support apparatus 1 and
each of producer terminals 2A, 2B is performed via a network, for
example, the Internet (not shown), or the like. A communication
between inspection support apparatus 1 and each of inspector
candidate terminals 3A, 3B, 3C is performed via a network, for
example, the Internet (not shown), or the like.
[0045] Inspection support apparatus 1 is, for example, a server
apparatus, and includes control section 11, operating section 12,
display section 13, communication section 14, and storage section
15. The sections are connected by a bus.
[0046] Control section 11 is made up of a CPU (central processing
unit), a RAM (random access memory), and the like. The CPU of
control section 11 reads out various programs such as a system
program and process programs stored in storage section 15, expands
the programs on the RAM, and executes various processes in
accordance with the expanded programs. Control section 11 functions
as a production facility information acquisition section (described
later), an inspector candidate information acquisition section
(described later), an inspection-related information output section
(described later), a past inspection information acquisition
section (described later), and an inspection support information
output section (described later) by executing the various
processes. Control section 11, in response to a request to connect
to inspection support apparatus 1 from producer terminal 2A or
producer terminal 2B, determines whether to allow connection based
on an ID issued for each producer and a connection password and,
when a connection condition is satisfied, allows the connection.
Control section 11, in response to a request to connect to
inspection support apparatus 1 from inspector terminal 3A or
inspector terminal 3B, determines whether to allow connection based
on an ID issued for each inspector and a connection password and,
when a connection condition is satisfied, allows the connection.
Control section 11 also functions as an authentication section.
[0047] Operating section 12 is made up of a keyboard including
character input keys, numeric input keys, and various function
keys, and a pointing device, such as a mouse, and outputs a
depression signal of a key depressed with the keyboard and an
operating signal with a mouse to control section 11 as input
signals.
[0048] Display section 13 includes, for example, a monitor, such as
an LCD. Display section 13 displays various screens in accordance
with instructions of display signals that are input from control
section 11.
[0049] Communication section 14 is made up of, for example, a LAN
card, or the like.
[0050] Communication section 14, for example, sends or receives
data to or from an external device connected to a communication
network via a switching hub.
[0051] Storage section 15 is made up of, for example, an HDD (hard
disk drive), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like.
Various programs are stored in storage section 15 as described
above.
[0052] Database 150 is provided in storage section 15.
[0053] Database 150 includes production facility information table
151 (which corresponds to a "first storage section" of the present
invention) that stores production facility information on
production facilities. Information on each production facility is
stored as one record in production facility information table 151.
Information on a production facility contains, for example, a
location (address, latitude and longitude), an owning or managing
business company (producer), the age of the facility, a facility
scale (area, the type of equipment in the facility, the number of
pieces of equipment, and the like), the status of operation or
non-operation, the inspection time of the production facility, and
an inspection record (to be added for every inspection). In the
following description, past inspection time at which an inspection
of a production facility has been completed is referred to as
inspection time (past), and scheduled inspection time at which an
inspection of a production facility is scheduled to be performed is
referred to as inspection time (future). Inspection time (future)
includes not only regular inspection time including legal
inspection time but also desired inspection time at which a
producer optionally desires an inspection of a production facility.
Information on a production facility, except for an inspection
record, is input via producer terminal 2 mainly by a producer and
registered in database 150. A location, particularly, the position
information of each individual piece of equipment in a production
facility, may be registered in database 150 from map information or
a past inspection record. An inspection record is input via an
inspector terminal by an inspector and registered in database 150.
An inspector terminal means both inspector candidate terminal 3 and
inspector terminal 30 (described later). Terminals 3, 30 are the
same in terms of terminals that inspection sides hold and also have
the same function of an input terminal or an output terminal.
[0054] Database 150 includes inspector candidate information table
152 (which corresponds to a "second storage section" of the present
invention) that stores inspector candidate information on inspector
candidates. Information on each inspector candidate is stored as
one record in inspector candidate information table 152.
Information on an inspector candidate contains, for example, an
inspection company name (the name of an inspector), a location,
company information, an inspection track record, an inspection fee,
available inspection time, the number of inspectors, and the
ratings of inspectors. Inspectors may be inspectors of corporations
different from producers or may be inspectors employed by producers
(inspectors of inspection departments in corporations). Information
on inspector candidates, except for ratings, is input via inspector
terminals 3 mainly by inspectors and registered in database 150.
Input of a rating of an inspector is allowed by a producer, for
example, after a report on inspection results is received.
Evaluation items in rating include whether an inspection has been
performed in accordance with an inspection plan, whether there is
any mistake, omission, or the like, in inspection, whether images
during inspection have been captured without any problem, and the
like. In addition, control section 11 may automatically calculate a
time taken for inspection, extract a found gas leak and its repair
result, and extract the number of inspections of an inspector from
inspection data (including data from the GPS, or the like, of a
camera, and video data) that are uploaded from the inspector, and
then add them to the rating of the inspector. By assigning weights
to these evaluation items, control section 11 may calculate a
rating value based on a predetermined calculation expression and
use the rating value as a rating.
[0055] Database 150 also includes producer information table 153
(which corresponds to a "third storage section" of the present
invention) that stores producer information on producers.
Information on each producer is stored as one record in producer
information table 153. Information on a producer contains a
business company name, an address, contact information, and company
information. Producer information is input via producer terminal 2
mainly by a producer and registered in database 150.
[0056] Database 150 also includes inspection-related information
table 154 (which corresponds to a "fourth storage section" of the
present invention) that stores inspection-related information on
inspections. Information on each inspection is stored as one record
in inspection-related information table 154. Information on an
inspection contains information on an inspection plan (which
corresponds to "inspection schedule information" of the present
invention), information on an inspection of a production facility,
and information for the inspection of the production facility
(inspection support information).
[0057] Information on an inspection plan contains, for example, an
inspector, inspection time (future), a production facility(s), an
inspection schedule, and an inspection route (the order of
production facilities to be inspected, and the order of individual
pieces of equipment to be inspected in each production facility).
Information on an inspection plan may contain information for an
inspection (inspection support information).
[0058] Information on an inspection of a production facility(s)
contains, for example, information on a subject of inspection,
information on settings of an inspection instrument, and
information on an image capture environment. Information on a
subject of inspection contains, for example, a production facility
serving as a subject of inspection, inspection locations (valves,
pipe positions) in the production facility, whether there is a gas
leak in the past, video data when captured with an infrared camera
in the past, and the like. Information on these subjects of
inspection is also inspection data. Inspection data contains, for
example, the file name of video data, the storage location of the
video data, an update date, file size, and the like. Video data is
stored in, for example, storage section 15. Information on the
settings of an inspection instrument contains, for example, image
capture point positions, image capture directions, image capture
conditions (light exposure, gain, focus, sensor temperature, and
the like), and the like. Information on an image capture
environment contains, for example, weather, air temperature,
humidity, wind velocity, atmospheric pressure, and the like, image
capture date and time, and the like. These pieces of information on
an image capture environment are also inspection data. These pieces
of inspection data are input via an inspector terminal by an
inspector and registered in database 150.
[0059] Information for an inspection of a production facility
(inspection support information) contains, for example, priority
inspection locations for inspection, inspection subject-related
information on a production facility, information on the settings
of an inspection instrument, inspection data in the past, and the
like. Inspection subject-related information on a production
facility contains, for example, a list of inspection locations in
the production facility that is a subject of inspection, and a map
of the production facility from which the inspection locations are
found. Information on the settings of an inspection instrument
contains, for example, the image capture point positions and image
capture directions of a camera for a subject of inspection.
[0060] Database 150 also includes report format-related information
table 155 that stores report format-related information on a report
format. Information on each report format is stored as one record
in report format-related information table 155. Information on a
report format stores formats for inputting items required to
describe the formats of a legal report, inspection report, and
repair report.
[0061] When production facility information from producer terminal
2 is received by communication section 14, control section 11
stores the production facility information in production facility
information table 151. When inspector candidate information from
inspector candidate terminal 3 is received by communication section
14, control section 11 stores the inspector candidate information
in inspector candidate information table 152. When producer
information from producer terminal 2 is received by communication
section 14, control section 11 stores the producer information in
producer information table 153.
[0062] Control section 11 functions as the inspector candidate
information acquisition section. In other words, control section 11
acquires inspector candidate information from inspector candidate
information table 152. Control section 11 also functions as the
production facility information acquisition section. In other
words, control section 11 acquires production facility information
from production facility information table 151. Then, control
section 11 extracts a record(s) of which available inspection time
coincides with the inspection time (future) of a production
facility. In other words, control section 11 functions as the
inspection-related information output section that selects
inspector candidate(s) that satisfies/satisfy a condition that the
available inspection time coincides with the inspection time from
among a plurality of inspector candidates as an inspector(s) that
makes/make an inspection of the production facility. The
"coincidence" means that available inspection time and inspection
time overlap each other at least in a time required for
inspection.
[0063] For example, a plurality of records may be extracted from
inspector candidate information table 152. That is, a plurality of
inspector candidates may be selected. In this case, control section
11 may preferentially select an inspector candidate of which a
distance to a production facility is near as an inspector. A
distance to a production facility is, for example, obtained from
the site of a production facility as production facility-related
information and the address of an inspector candidate as inspector
candidate information. In this case, since a production facility of
which the above-described inspector candidate performs an
inspection is near, time and cost that are required for travel are
reduced, so the time and cost efficiency of inspection is
increased.
[0064] For example, an inspection of each of a plurality of
production facilities that are managed by the same producer may be
performed. In this case, control section 11 may select the same
inspector candidate as an inspector that performs an inspection of
a plurality of production facilities that are managed by the same
producer. Thus, by collectively making an inspection plan in which
an inspection of a plurality of production facilities within a
certain distance at the same inspection time, the efficiency of
inspection is increased.
[0065] Not limited to this configuration, control section 11 may
select the same inspector candidate as an inspector for an
inspection of a plurality of production facilities that are managed
by different producers. Thus, it is possible to make an inspection
plan in which the same inspector is able to perform an inspection
of a plurality of production facilities. When producers
individually make a request for inspection, it is difficult to make
the above-described inspection plan. In this case, by making the
above-described inspection plan, an inspector is able to keep jobs
and is also able to efficiently perform an inspection of a
plurality of production facilities. In addition, a situation in
which a schedule of an inspector is occupied by a small number of
producers is avoided.
[0066] An inspection may be not performed as planned for an
inspection plan output by control section 11. This is, for example,
when repair work for gas leak takes time unexpectedly and an
inspection has not completed, when a traffic trouble, or the like,
has occurred during travel, when a producer or an inspector
suddenly becomes inconvenient, or the like. In such cases as well,
control section 11 is able to make an inspection plan again in
consideration of inspection time available for an inspector based
on the inspector candidate information stored in database 150.
[0067] Control section 11 may preferentially select an inspector
candidate having a high rating as an inspector. Thus, a highly
capable inspector is sent for inspection, so a producer is able to
maintain the quality of inspection. An inspector is able to do a
job appropriate for the skill and is able to raise motivation for
jobs by receiving an appropriate rating. A rating (inspection track
record) is obtained based on information on an inspector candidate,
stored in the inspector candidate information table 152 as a
record.
[0068] Control section 11 may select an inspector based on
information on the inspection capability of an inspector candidate.
Information on the inspection capability of an inspector candidate
is, for example, the number of inspections of an inspector
candidate or the number of years an inspector candidate is engaged
in inspection. The number of inspections of an inspector candidate
or the number of years an inspector candidate is engaged in
inspection may be regarded as the inspection experience of an
inspector candidate. Control section 11 may preferentially select
an inspector candidate having much inspection experience as an
inspector. If an inspector candidate having less inspection
experience is selected, an inspection plan may be made by
estimating a longer time that is taken for the inspector candidate
having less inspection experience to perform one inspection.
Alternatively, control section 11 may preferentially select an
inspector candidate having experience in inspecting a production
facility that is a subject of inspection in the past as an
inspector. Alternatively, control section 11 may choose an
inspector based on the scale of a production facility and the
number of inspections of an inspector candidate, which is
appropriate for the scale. For example, control section 11 may
select an inspector candidate having rich experience with a large
number of inspections as an inspector when the scale of a
production facility is large, and may select an inspector candidate
having less experience as an inspector when the scale of a
production facility is small. For a large-scale production
facility, since there are many inspection locations, an inspection
needs to be efficiently performed. In such a case, by selecting an
inspector candidate having rich experience, an inspection is
efficiently performed without a delay from an inspection plan. For
education of an inspector, an inspector candidate having less
experience may be selected.
[0069] Alternatively, control section 11 may preferentially select
an inspector that charges an inexpensive inspection fee. Thus, a
burden on a producer is reduced.
[0070] As described above, control section 11 preferably outputs
information on an inspection plan in consideration of at least one
of the place of a production facility, the address of an inspector
candidate, the rating of an inspector candidate, information on the
inspection capability of an inspector candidate, and an inspection
fee. When an inspector candidate is selected by using a plurality
of items (conditions), the order of priority may be assigned to
each item. For example, when a distance to a production facility is
set for a first priority item and the number of inspections is set
for a second priority item, an inspector candidate(s) within a
predetermined distance is/are selected, and an inspector candidate
having the greatest number of inspections is selected from among
the selected inspector candidate(s).
[0071] An inspector candidate may be selected by assigning weights
to each item and ranking inspector candidates based on a total
rating value. In this case, a plurality of ranks is set for each
item. For example, five points are assigned when the distance is
near, and a rank value is changed like four points, . . . , one
point as the distance extends. Ranking is performed by setting the
order of priority of each item as weights (relatively large weights
are assigned to an item having a higher order of priority) and
calculating the sum total of values obtained by multiplying rank
values by the weights.
[0072] Control section 11 also has the function of the
inspection-related information output section for outputting
inspection-related information containing the selected inspector.
Specifically, control section 11 controls communication section 14
such that communication section 14 sends an inspection plan for a
production facility to producer terminal 2 and inspector candidate
terminal 3. An inspection plan contains an inspector, inspection
time, and a production facility serving as a subject of
inspection.
[0073] Producer terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer.
Producer terminal 2, as shown in FIG. 1, includes control section
21, operating section 22, display section 23, communication section
24, and storage section 25. The sections are connected by a
bus.
[0074] Control section 21 is made up of a CPU, a RAM, and the like.
The CPU of control section 21 reads out various programs such as a
system program and process programs stored in storage section 25,
expands the programs on the RAM, and executes various processes in
accordance with the expanded programs.
[0075] Control section 21 controls communication section 24 such
that communication section 24 sends producer information and
production facility information to inspection support apparatus 1.
Control section 21 also controls communication section 24 such that
communication section 24 receives an inspection plan, video data,
inspection data (containing information on a subject of inspection
and information on an image capture environment), and a legal
report (described later) from inspection support apparatus 1. Thus,
a producer is able to check a scheduled inspection of a production
facility and an inspected result.
[0076] Operating section 22 is made up of a keyboard including
character input keys, numeric input keys, and various function
keys, and a pointing device, such as a mouse, and outputs a
depression signal of a key depressed with the keyboard and an
operating signal with a mouse to control section 21 as input
signals.
[0077] Display section 23 includes, for example, a monitor, such as
an LCD. Display section 23 displays various screens in accordance
with instructions of display signals that are input from control
section 21.
[0078] Communication section 24 is made up of, for example, a LAN
card, or the like. Communication section 24, for example, sends or
receives data to or from an external device connected to a
communication network via a switching hub.
[0079] Storage section 25 is made up of, for example, an HDD (hard
disk drive), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like. A
system program, a web browser, and the like, are stored in storage
section 25 as described above.
[0080] Inspector candidate terminal 3 is, for example, a personal
computer. Inspector candidate terminal 3, as shown in FIG. 1,
includes control section 31, operating section 32, display section
33, communication section 34, and storage section 35. The sections
are connected by a bus.
[0081] Control section 31 is made up of a CPU, a RAM, and the like.
The CPU of control section 31 reads out various programs such as a
system program and process programs stored in storage section 35,
expands the programs on the RAM, and executes various processes in
accordance with the expanded programs.
[0082] Control section 31 controls communication section 34 such
that communication section 34 sends inspector candidate information
to inspection support apparatus 1. Control section 31 also controls
communication section 34 such that communication section 34
receives inspection-related information containing an inspection
plan from inspection support apparatus 1. Thus, a producer is able
to check a scheduled inspection of a production facility.
[0083] Operating section 32 is made up of a keyboard including
character input keys, numeric input keys, and various function
keys, and a pointing device, such as a mouse, and outputs a
depression signal of a key depressed with the keyboard and an
operating signal with a mouse to control section 31 as input
signals.
[0084] Display section 33 includes, for example, a monitor, such as
an LCD. Display section 33 displays various screens in accordance
with instructions of display signals that are input from control
section 31.
[0085] Communication section 34 is made up of, for example, a LAN
card, or the like. Communication section 34, for example, sends or
receives data to or from an external device connected to a
communication network via a switching hub.
[0086] Storage section 35 is made up of, for example, an HDD (hard
disk drive), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like. A
system program, a web browser, and the like, are stored in storage
section 35 as described above.
[0087] With the above-described configuration, control section 11
selects an inspector candidate that satisfies a certain condition
from among a plurality of inspector candidates as an inspector that
performs an inspection of a production facility. Thus, an
inspection plan (including an inspector) is made. The efficiency of
inspection is increased by performing an inspection in accordance
with an inspection plan.
[0088] Next, a process of selecting an inspector that performs an
inspection of a production facility will be described with
reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of
the process of selecting an inspector that performs an inspection
of a production facility. This flow is started, for example, by
running a program for creating an inspection plan.
[0089] Initially, in step S100, control section 11 acquires
production facility information from database 150.
[0090] Subsequently, in step S110, control section 11 acquires
inspector candidate information on one inspector candidate from
database 150.
[0091] Subsequently, in step S120, control section 11 determines
whether inspection time (future) in the production facility
information coincides with available inspection time in the
inspector candidate information. As a result of the determination,
when the inspection time coincides with the available inspection
time (YES in step S120), the process proceeds to step S130. On the
other hand, when the inspection time does not coincide with the
available inspection time (NO in step S120), the process proceeds
to step S140.
[0092] In step S130, control section 11 selects the inspector
candidate that satisfies the condition that the inspection time
coincides with the available inspection time as an inspector.
[0093] Subsequently, in step S140, control section 11 determines
whether there is the next inspector candidate. As a result of the
determination, when there is the next inspector candidate (YES in
step S140), the process returns to the upstream of step S110. On
the other hand, when there is no next inspector candidate (NO in
step S140), the process ends.
[0094] With inspection support apparatus 1 according to the
above-described embodiment, control section 11 executes control to
acquire production facility information on a production facility,
acquire inspector candidate information on an inspector candidate
that is a candidate that performs an inspection of the production
facility, and output inspection-related information containing
inspection schedule information on a schedule of inspection of the
production facility by the inspector candidate based on the
acquired production facility information and inspector candidate
information. Thus, it is possible to efficiently make an inspection
plan for a production facility. As a result, an inspector is able
to efficiently perform an inspection of a production facility.
[0095] With the inspection support apparatus 1 according to the
above-described embodiment, control section 11 selects an inspector
from among a plurality of inspector candidates by combining two or
more functions of an inspection schedule output section that
selects an inspector from among a plurality of inspector
candidates. Thus, it is possible to select an inspector appropriate
for requests respectively from a producer and an inspector.
[0096] In the above-described embodiment, an inspector of a
corporation (inspection company) different from a producer is
selected as an inspector that performs an inspection of a
production facility; however, the present invention is not limited
thereto. For example, an inspector employed by a producer may be
selected. In this case, a producer inputs information and acquires
output information via producer terminal 2 and inspector candidate
terminal 3. Producer terminal 2 and inspector candidate terminal 3
may be the same terminal. An inspector employed by a producer may
be selected to be dispatched for an inspection of a production
facility of another producer.
[0097] In the above-described embodiment, communication among
producer terminal 2, inspector candidate terminal 3, and inspection
support apparatus 1 is performed via the Internet; however, the
present invention is not limited thereto. For example, for
relatively near communication, communication among producer
terminal 2, inspector candidate terminal 3, and inspection support
apparatus 1 may be performed in accordance with a communication
mode, for example, Wi-fi (wireless fidelity), NFC (near field
communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.
First Modification
[0098] Next, inspection support apparatus 1 according to
modifications of the present embodiment will be described. In the
description of inspection support apparatus 1 according to the
modifications, components different from those of the
above-described embodiment will be mainly described, like reference
numerals denote the same components, and the description thereof is
omitted.
[0099] Inspection support apparatus 1 according to the first
modification will be described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5B.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of inspection
support system 100 according to the first modification. FIG. 4 is
an appearance view schematically showing the configuration of
inspection support system 100 according to the first
modification.
[0100] Inspection support system 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes
inspection support apparatus 1, producer terminal 2, inspector
terminal 30, and camera 4. Inspector terminal 30 may be the same
terminal as inspector candidate terminal 3 or may be a terminal
different from inspector candidate terminal 3. In the case of the
first modification, as shown in FIG. 4, inspector terminal 30 is
realized by a tablet display terminal. Hereinafter, a system
including inspector terminal 30, camera 4, and a cable connecting
these is referred to as gas monitoring system 200. The CPU of
control section 31 reads out a gas processing program stored in
storage section 35, expands the program on the RAM, and executes
various processes in accordance with the expanded program.
[0101] Camera 4 includes infrared camera 41, visible camera 42,
position sensor 43, and angle sensor 44.
[0102] Infrared camera 41 obtains a captured image (infrared image)
in which leak gas is visualized. Since the configuration of
infrared camera 41 that is able to visualize gas is known, the
description is omitted here. Visible camera 42 obtains a general
captured image (visible image) by imaging visible light.
[0103] Position sensor 43 is realized by a GPS sensor. Angle sensor
44 is realized by an acceleration sensor. Since camera 4 includes
angle sensor 44, camera 4 is able to obtain information of an image
capture direction in which camera 4 is imaging. A sensor other than
a GPS sensor may be used as position sensor 43, and a sensor other
than an acceleration sensor may be used as angle sensor 44. In
short, these sensors just need to be able to obtain the image
capture point positions and image capture directions of camera
4.
[0104] Control section 31 of inspector terminal 30 has the function
of an image processing section that forms an image easy for an
inspector to identify a gas leak location by applying image
processing to captured images obtained by infrared camera 41 and
visible camera 42. For example, control section 31 (image
processing section) forms a thermal distribution image (temperature
information) based on a captured image from infrared camera 41 and
extracts a part looking like gas outflow from the image. In
addition, control section 31 superimposes the gas outflow image
(also referred to as gas image) on a captured image obtained by
visible camera 42. In this way, control section 31 forms an image
easy to see where a gas leak is occurring. The configuration
described here is an example of image processing by control section
31 (image processing section), and the present invention is not
limited thereto. Control section 31 has the function of a display
control section that causes display section 33 to display an image
subjected to image processing.
[0105] An image subjected to image processing by control section 31
is input to storage section 35. A captured image from camera 4 is
also input to storage section 35. In addition, position information
and an image capture direction, obtained by camera 4, are input to
storage section 35. Furthermore, the position information obtained
from camera 4 is sent to inspection support apparatus 1 via
communication section 34.
[0106] FIG. 5A is a view showing an example of a case where a
production facility and an inspector are displayed on a map. FIG.
5A simply shows buildings and pipes in a production facility. As
shown in FIG. 5A, control section 31 causes display section 33 of
inspector terminal 3 to display a map containing a production
facility that is a subject of inspection and to display the
position of an inspector on the map based on the position
information of the inspector, acquired from position sensor 43.
[0107] When a map is displayed, the position information of each
individual piece of equipment in a production facility is required;
however, not all the position information of each individual piece
of equipment is grasped and input by a producer. Therefore,
detailed position information (latitude and longitude) of each of
pieces of equipment, such as buildings and pipes, is acquired from
map information and stored in database 150. The position
information of a piece of equipment can be acquired from an image
captured in a past inspection, position information of an
inspector, and image capture data (azimuth data, viewing angle, and
the like) of the camera.
[0108] Control section 11 (see FIG. 1) of inspection support
apparatus 1 determines whether an inspection of a production
facility has been performed in the past (whether an inspection is
performed again) based on the production facility information and
inspector candidate information stored in database 150. Control
section 11 has the function of the past inspection information
acquisition section that acquires past inspection data.
[0109] Control section 11 also has the function of an
identification section that identifies whether a production
facility is a production facility to be inspected by an inspector
in the nearest future based on the position information of the
inspector (position information obtained from camera 4) and the
position information of the production facility (position
information stored in production facility information table 151 or
position information extracted from past inspection data (position
information from GPS, or the like).
[0110] When control section 11 (output control execution section)
determines that an inspection of a production facility is performed
again and identifies that the production facility is a production
facility to be inspected by an inspector in the nearest future,
control section 11 executes control for outputting inspection
support information for supporting an inspection of the production
facility (the function of the inspection support information output
section). Thus, inspector support information is sent to inspector
terminal 30, and inspector terminal 30 acquires the inspector
support information. Here, inspection support information contains,
for example, information on priority check locations for an
inspection of a production facility (for example, information on
past gas leak locations and locations susceptible to gas leak),
information on a production facility, information on the settings
of an inspection instrument, and past inspection data for the
production facility (specifically, the image capture point
positions and image capture directions of camera 4, and video
data).
[0111] Control section 31 (display control section) generates a
guidance image that guides an inspector such that the current image
capture point position and image capture direction of camera 4
match the past image capture point position and image capture
direction, and causes display section 33 (see FIG. 3) to display
the guidance image. Here, a past image, a message, a symbol, or the
like, may be displayed as the guidance image or the guidance image
may be displayed in map.
[0112] Next, a guidance image will be described with reference to
FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B is a view showing image capture point positions
and image capture directions in an area in which a plurality of
production facilities is arranged. In the example of FIG. 5B,
production facility A, production facility B, production facility
C, and production facility D are arranged in the area. An inspector
moves with gas monitoring system 200 and captures imaging subjects
by orienting camera 4 in the image capture directions indicated by
the sector forms in the drawing at image capture points P1 to P12
in the drawing. These image capture points P1 to P12 and image
capture directions are determined in advance in consideration of
locations where a gas leak is easy to occur, important locations,
efficient inspection order, and the like. The inspector captures
imaging subjects at the image capture point positions while making
the rounds in order of image capture points
P1.fwdarw.P2.fwdarw.P3.fwdarw. . . .
.fwdarw.P10.fwdarw.P11.fwdarw.P12.
[0113] For example, when the inspector approaches image capture
point P1 with gas monitoring system 200, the message "NEAR IMAGE
CAPTURE POINT P1 (PRODUCTION FACILITY A)" is displayed on display
section 33 (see FIG. 3). Thus, the inspector recognizes that camera
4 is located near image capture point P1. Subsequently, when the
difference between the position of the inspector and the image
capture point position is substantially zero, the message "AT IMAGE
CAPTURE POINT P1 (PRODUCTION FACILITY A)" is displayed on display
section 33. Thus, the inspector recognizes that camera 4 is
arranged at image capture point P1.
[0114] In the case of the first modification, a present image and a
past image are displayed on display section 33. A present image is
an image being captured by camera 4 at present. A past image is a
captured image stored in inspection-related information table 154
of inspection support apparatus 1 as past inspection data and sent
from inspection support apparatus 1 to camera 4. A past image may
be an image captured during the last rounds or may be an image
captured during the initial rounds or may be an image selected by
an inspector from among past images. A past image may be
automatically displayed or may be displayed in response to an
inspector's instruction operation.
[0115] Next, a process of outputting inspection support information
for a production facility will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart
showing an example of the process of outputting inspection support
information for a production facility. This flow is started, for
example, by running a program for acquiring inspection support
information. For example, by giving inspection support information
to an inspector at the start of rounds, the efficiency of
inspection is increased.
[0116] Initially, in advance of step 200, when the ID and
connection password of an inspector are input to inspector terminal
30, control section 11 allows connection between inspector terminal
30 and inspection support apparatus 1, and connection between
inspector terminal 30 and inspection support apparatus 1 is
established.
[0117] In step S200, control section 11 acquires the position
information of the production facility.
[0118] Subsequently, in step S210, control section 11 acquires the
position information of the inspector.
[0119] Subsequently, in step S220, control section 11 determines
whether the production facility is a production facility to be
inspected by the inspector in the nearest future. Specifically,
when the position of the inspector is located within a
predetermined range from the position of the production facility to
be inspected, the production facility is determined as a production
facility to be inspected in the nearest future. As a result of the
determination, when the production facility is a production
facility to be inspected by the inspector in the nearest future
(YES in step S220), the process proceeds to step S230. On the other
hand, when the production facility is not a production facility to
be inspected by the inspector in the nearest future (NO in step
S220), the process proceeds to step S260.
[0120] In step S230, control section 11 determines whether the
inspection of the production facility is a second inspection.
Specifically, when past inspection data is stored in database 150,
it is determined as a second inspection. As a result of the
determination, when the inspection of the production facility is a
second inspection (YES in step S230), the process proceeds to step
S240. On the other hand, when the inspection of the production
facility is not a second inspection (NO in step S230), the process
proceeds to step S250.
[0121] In step S240, control section 11 executes control to output
inspection support information. After that, the process in FIG. 6
ends.
[0122] In step S250, control section 11 executes control to output
inspection support information. After that, the process in FIG. 6
ends. Inspection support information to be output varies between in
the case of a second inspection (YES in step S230) and in the case
of not a second inspection (NO in step S230). As inspection support
information in the case of not a second inspection, the position of
the inspector may be displayed on a production facility map as
shown in FIG. 5B, or the positions of subjects of inspection on the
map, an inspection route indicating the order of inspection of the
subjects of inspection, or the like, may be displayed. Thus, an
inspection is supported. By outputting inspection support
information for a facility to be inspected in the nearest future,
improvement in inspection efficiency and improvement in the quality
of inspection are achieved. On that basis, as inspection support
information in the case of a second inspection, a past inspection
image may be displayed next to a present inspection image, and past
image capture points and conditions may be provided. Thus,
improvement in inspection efficiency and improvement in inspection
accuracy are achieved. As inspection support information in the
case of a second inspection, inspection support information
containing past inspection information is output, so inspection
efficiency is further improved, and the quality of inspection is
further improved.
[0123] In step S260, control section 11 determines whether the
inspection is complete. As a result of the determination, when the
inspection is complete (YES in step S260), the process in FIG. 6
ends. On the other hand, when the inspection is not complete (NO in
step S260), the process returns to the upstream of step S210.
[0124] With the inspection support apparatus 1 in the first
modification, inspection-related information table 154 that stores
inspection-related information containing inspection support
information for supporting an inspection of a production facility
is provided. When an inspection of a production facility is
performed again and the production facility is a production
facility to be inspected by the inspector in the nearest future,
control for outputting inspection support information for the
production facility is executed. Thus, the quality of inspection of
the production facility increases and an inspection is easy to be
performed, so the efficiency of inspection of the production
facility is increased.
[0125] In the first modification, camera setting conditions during
a past inspection may be displayed. Thus, imaging under the same
conditions becomes easy.
[0126] In the first modification, whether there is a gas leak in
the past or a location where a gas leak has been detected may be
displayed on display section 33. Thus, a location where a gas leak
has occurred in the past can be intensively inspected, so the
quality of inspection is increased.
[0127] In the first modification, inspector terminal 30 is the
terminal that makes up gas monitoring system 200. Inspector
terminal 30 is not limited to a tablet display terminal (tablet
terminal) and may be, for example, a personal computer (portable
type), a mobile type, such as a mobile device (such as a smartphone
and a touch pad), or a portable-type terminal. With these devices
as well, at least part of the inspector terminal 30 can be easily
made up by a CPU (central processing unit), a RAM (random access
memory), a ROM (read only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD
(solid state drive), and the like. The CPU reads out a gas
processing program stored in the ROM, or the like, expands the
program on the RAM, and runs the program, thus implementing the
functions of the sections.
[0128] In gas monitoring system 200, camera 4 and inspector
terminal 30 are connected by the cable. Alternatively, camera 4 and
inspector terminal 30 may be connected wirelessly or camera 4 and
inspector terminal 30 may be integrated. In this case, camera 4,
inspector terminal 30, and gas monitoring system 200 are the same
device.
[0129] In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the process of step S220, step
S230, step S240, and step S250 is executed by control section 11 of
inspection support apparatus 1. Alternatively, the process may be
executed by control section 31 of inspector terminal 30. In this
case, inspector terminal 30 issues a request to output information
stored in database 150 to inspection support apparatus 1, inspector
terminal 30 receives output information, and control section 31
executes the process of steps based on the output information.
Second Modification
[0130] Next, inspection support apparatus 1 according to a second
modification will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is
a view illustrating an example of a process of creating an
inspection record from results of an inspection of a production
facility. Here, description will be made on the assumption that a
legal report is an example of an inspection record. The process is
executed after results of an inspection of a production facility
are stored in inspection-related information table 154 via
inspector terminal 30.
[0131] Control section 11 extracts an inspection record format for
inputting items required for an inspection record from report
format-related information table 155. Control section 11 has the
function of an inspection record creating section that creates a
legal report by extracting details corresponding to items (the
number of inspections, and the number of detected leak points) of
the inspection record format from the results of inspection
(details of inspection and details of detected leak points) of the
production facility, stored in inspection-related information table
154, and copying the details to the inspection record format.
[0132] With inspection support apparatus 1 according to the
above-described second modification, a time that is taken to create
a legal report, or the like, is shortened, so the efficiency of
inspection is increased accordingly.
[0133] In the above-described second modification, a legal report
is used as an example of an inspection record; however, the
inspection record is not limited thereto. For example, an
inspection report in which inspection situation information
indicating a gas leak inspection situation is recorded or a repair
report in which repair situation information indicating a gas leak
repair situation is recorded may be used. Control section 11 is
able to create these inspection reports, as well as a legal report,
by extracting details corresponding to the items of an inspection
record format from inspection results (including repair results) of
a production facility, stored in inspection-related information
table 154, and copying the details to the inspection record format.
A time that is taken to create an inspection report, and the like,
is shortened, so the efficiency of inspection is increased.
[0134] An inspection report in which inspection situation
information indicating a gas leak inspection situation is recorded
may be displayed in map on producer terminal 2 except in document
or in list form. For a report on a repair situation, when a repair
expiration date is approaching in a situation in which repair has
not been made, a producer may be notified or an alarm such as
highlighting, such as blinking, may be output in map. An example of
the case of map display will be described. A producer inputs
identification information (ID) and a password to producer terminal
2 and connects to (logs into) inspection support apparatus 1. When
the producer issues a request for inspection situation information
to inspection support apparatus 1, control section 11 of inspection
support apparatus 1 extracts the production facility information of
the producer, corresponding to the ID, from the production facility
information stored in database 150 of storage section 15. As
displayed in map, the map is able to display inspection and repair
situations for each region by selecting a site, for each production
facility by selecting a facility, and for each piece of equipment
(component) in a production facility by selecting a piece of
equipment. Control section 11 may acquire a map corresponding to
the position of a production facility requested to be displayed
from database 150 and display the production facility on the
acquired map in a superimposed manner as, for example, an icon.
Control section 11 may acquire requested inspection information of
a production facility from inspection-related information table 154
of database 150 and display an icon by coloring according to an
inspection situation and a repair situation.
[0135] FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an inspection report
displayed in map. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, a facility from
which a gas leak has been found but repaired is displayed by green
(indicated by vertical stripe hatching in FIG. 8), a facility from
which a gas leak has been found and not repaired is displayed by
red (indicated by horizontal stripe hatching in FIG. 8), and a
facility that has been inspected and from which no gas leak has
been found is displayed by gray (grid hatching in FIG. 8). A
facility of which a repair expiration date is approaching is
displayed with highlight.
[0136] Control section 11 performs zoom display or reduced display
through a mouse operation or a pinch operation, or the like, on a
display screen. When a facility highlighted on the map (the
facility surrounded by the blue frame in FIG. 8) is displayed in a
magnified view by control section 11, a repair situation is
displayed equipment (component) by equipment (component). FIG. 9
shows a plurality of pieces of equipment displayed in a magnified
view on a display screen. FIG. 9 also shows "A" input to the
facility item, and "A1111" input to the equipment item. When
"A1111" is input to the equipment item, a gas leak and repair
condition on the equipment "A1111" is listed separately and output
(not shown).
Third Modification
[0137] Inspection time (inspection interval) of a production
facility is determined by the law, and inspection omission needs to
be prevented. When an inspection is actually performed, a
sufficient preparation period is needed for a producer side or an
inspector side. Therefore, for a producer side and, in addition,
for an inspector side as well, inspection time is desirably
informed at appropriate timing. Then, inspection support apparatus
1 may have the function of being able to automatically make an
inspection plan. As a section of informing that inspection time is
near, a producer may be directly informed (e-mail or mail) or
information may be displayed on producer terminal 2. When
information is displayed on producer terminal 2, a production
facility is displayed by icon, or the like, on the map shown in
FIG. 8, and, for example, a facility of which inspection time is
near may be displayed by red and the other facilities may be
displayed by blue. In this case, a process in producer terminal 2
is similar to the case in which the process of displaying a map on
the above-described producer terminal 2.
[0138] Next, inspection support apparatus 1 according to the third
modification will be described. In the third modification, a
process for automatically making an inspection plan will be
described.
[0139] Control section 11, for example, extracts inspection time
(future) from production facility information stored in production
facility information table 151 every certain period (one day, one
week, one month).
[0140] Control section 11 has the function of a determination
section that determines whether it is time when an inspection of a
production facility is required. Control section 11 compares an
inspection due date with a present date and determines whether it
is shorter than or equal to a predetermined period. When it is
shorter than or equal to the predetermined period, notification
that inspection time is near is provided to a producer. Time to
provide notification is, for example, one month before inspection
time (future) that is an inspection due date.
[0141] Control section 11 selects an inspector candidate that
satisfies a condition that inspection time (future) coincides with
available inspection time from among inspector candidate
information table 152 as an inspector. Control section 11 executes
control for outputting a production facility that is a subject of
inspection and inspection time (a specific date and time and a
specific period may be designated).
[0142] The production facility and the inspection time are provided
to the selected inspector candidate. When the inspector receives an
order for an inspection of the production facility, an inspection
plan containing the production facility, the inspection time, and
the selected inspector candidate is provided to the producer.
[0143] Next, a process for automatically making an inspection plan
will be described. Description will be made with reference to FIG.
10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for
automatically making an inspection plan. The flow is automatically
started each time a predetermined time (one day, one week, one
month) elapses.
[0144] Initially, in step S300. control section 11 acquires
inspection time (future) from the production facility information
stored in production facility information table 151. Inspection
time (future) is determined in advance for each production facility
or each piece of equipment in a production facility, and those
pieces of information are stored in production facility information
table 151.
[0145] Subsequently, in step S310, control section 11 determines
whether it is time when an inspection of the production facility is
required. As a result of the determination, when it is time when an
inspection of the production facility is required (YES in step
S310), the process proceeds to step S320. When it is not time when
an inspection of the production facility is required (NO in step
S310), the process proceeds to step S360.
[0146] In step S320, control section 11 acquires the inspector
candidate information stored in inspector candidate information
table 152.
[0147] Subsequently, in step S330, control section 11 determines
whether inspection time (future) coincides with available
inspection time from among inspector candidate information table
152. As a result of the determination, when inspection time
(future) coincides with available inspection time (YES in step
S330), the process proceeds to step S340. On the other hand, when
inspection time (future) does not coincide with available
inspection time (NO in step S330), the process proceeds to step
S350.
[0148] In step S340, control section 11 executes control to output
inspection time. After that, the process in FIG. 10 ends.
[0149] In step S350, control section 11 executes control to output
that no inspector candidate is selected for an inspector of the
production facility. After that, the process in FIG. 10 ends.
[0150] Subsequently, in step S360, control section 11 determines
whether there is the next production facility. As a result of the
determination, when there is the next production facility (YES in
step S360), the process returns to the upstream of step S300. On
the other hand, when there is no next production facility (NO in
step S360), the process in FIG. 10 ends.
[0151] With inspection support apparatus 1 according to the
above-described third modification, an inspection plan for a
production facility is automatically made at time at which an
inspection of the production facility is required, so an inspection
of the production facility is reliably performed without
omission.
[0152] As described in the above embodiment and modifications, by
saving, managing, and processing information on production
facilities, information on inspectors, and information on
inspection results by inspection support apparatus 1, various
services are provided to producers and inspectors. Other than the
above-described services, for example, position information of
various equipment arrangements, and the like, of production
facilities are output and provided from database 150 to
producers.
[0153] In the above-described embodiment and modifications, a gas
or petroleum-related production facility is used as an example of a
subject to which the present invention is applied; however, the
subject is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a
production facility other than a gas or petroleum-related
production facility.
[0154] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2018-202999, filed Oct. 29, 2018 including the specification,
drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0155] The above-described embodiment is just an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the
present invention should not be interpreted restrictively by the
embodiment. In other words, the present invention may be modified
in various forms without departing from its purport and its major
characteristics.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0156] 1 Inspection support apparatus [0157] 2 Producer terminal
[0158] 3 Inspector candidate terminal [0159] 4 Camera [0160] 11,
21, 31 Control section [0161] 12, 22, 32 Operating section [0162]
13, 23, 33 Display section [0163] 14, 24, 34 Communication section
[0164] 15, 25, 35 Storage section [0165] 100 Inspection support
system [0166] 150 Database [0167] 151 Production facility
information table [0168] 152 Inspector candidate information table
[0169] 153 Producer information table [0170] 154 Inspection-related
information table [0171] 200 Gas monitoring system
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