JPH08317072A - Remote management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To realize the remote management system in which detailed maintenance in response to each device is attained. CONSTITUTION: Information as to maintenance check items, a cause to trouble, processing method made actually, items required for actual maintenance such as tools used for the processing and persons in charge is registered to a database 3e provided to a controller 3a of a central device 3 corresponding to a dryer 8 having trouble as additional data every time trouble takes place. When the operator enters a display request of the additional data of a laundry equipment 8 displayed on a display device 3d by using an entry device 3c, the controller 3a discriminates whether or not additional registration data relating to the dryer 8 are registered in the database 3e, that is, whether or not trouble takes place in the past is discriminated and when registered, it is read and the additional data are displayed on the display device 3d.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention connects a device whose operation is controlled by a control device such as a microcomputer and a central device using an arithmetic device such as a personal computer by communication means, and the central device is used to connect the device. System for remote management of

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a landli store where a plurality of washing machines and dryers are arranged and coins or prepaid cards can be used for a fee, the number of staff members can be reduced or it is possible to visit each store. In order to abolish and improve management efficiency, a management system that centrally manages failure, abnormality management, and charge management of landry equipment at a remote location is required.

As such a management system, there is one proposed by the applicant of the present application in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-205900. Each landry store is equipped with a plurality of landry equipment such as a washing machine and a dryer. Motors installed in each landry device,
Each sensor such as a rotation sensor, a thermistor, and a coin sensor is provided in each part such as the drum and the charge box, and the output signal of the sensor is input to the microcomputer. The microcomputer controls the operation of the landry device based on the signals from each sensor, and stores each data such as the operation state, the remaining operation time, and the sales amount,
A data controller (hereinafter DTC) located at each store
To each). Each DT
C is connected by a public line to a central device using a personal computer of a manager or a management company entrusted by the manager.

The central unit sends a monitor request to the DTC from the central unit via the public line in order to monitor the operating state, remaining operating time, sales amount, operating amount setting, operating time setting, etc. from the central unit. The DTC gives a command for transmitting the data relating to the return request to the microcomputer of each device installed in the Landry store. The microcomputer D sends the data according to the given command.
Send to TC, DTC sends the received data to the central unit.

On the other hand, when a trouble such as a malfunction, abnormality or theft of charges occurs in the equipment, the microcomputer of the landry equipment displays the kind of the trouble caused by stopping the operation and gives a transmission request to the DTC. , D
When there is a response from the TC, information such as the model name and the ID (identity) number assigned to the device is added to the trouble data such as the trouble type and occurrence time, and the trouble data is transmitted. D
The TC calls the central unit to transmit the received trouble data, and when there is a response from the central unit, the received data is added to the data of the Landry store name as the trouble data and transmitted to the central unit.

When the central unit receives the data relating to the monitor request or the trouble data, it displays the store name, the ID number and model name of the device, the contents of the data, etc. on the screen of the monitor in characters and numbers, and the manager Or notify the operator of the management company. When trouble data is displayed on the monitor, the manager or operator dispatches a worker for maintenance based on the name of the store where the trouble occurred and the ID number of the device. The worker inspects and treats the equipment in which the trouble has occurred, based on a predetermined manual for each kind of trouble and the kind of trouble displayed on the equipment.

[0007]

However, in the conventional remote management system, since the central device only displays the received trouble data, the worker can only perform maintenance on the items specified in the manual. However, there is a problem in that it is impossible to perform detailed maintenance according to each device because information related to the above cannot be obtained. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
The purpose is to provide a remote management system that enables detailed maintenance according to each device by creating a database required for device maintenance and displaying it. is there.

[0008]

A remote management system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a device for controlling the operation of the remote control system based on data from a plurality of sensors, detecting a trouble, and transmitting the trouble data. In a remote management system, which is arranged apart from a device and includes a central device that remotely manages the device based on trouble data transmitted from the device, the central device relates to maintenance for each type of trouble. 1 a database in which information is registered in advance, a means for inputting second information about things required to carry out maintenance of equipment, a means for registering the input second information in the database corresponding to the equipment, Means for determining whether or not the second information related to the device transmitting the trouble data is registered in the database based on the trouble data; The first information from the serial database and /
Alternatively, it is characterized by including a unit for reading the second information and a unit for displaying the first information and / or the second information.

The remote management system according to the second invention is the first remote management system.
In the invention, the central device further comprises means for rearranging the plurality of read second information.

A remote management system according to a third invention is the first remote management system.
Alternatively, in the second invention, the device is a landry device.

[0011]

In the remote management system according to the first aspect of the invention, the database provided in the central device is provided with a database relating to maintenance, such as the cause of trouble, the inspection method and the remedy method, according to the type of trouble that occurs in the equipment. 1 information is registered in advance. Every time a trouble occurs in a device, the cause of the trouble clarified by the inspection, the contents of the treatment, the tool related to the treatment, the time required for the treatment, the person in charge, etc. concerning the things required to carry out the maintenance of the equipment. Information is input together with information such as the type of trouble that has occurred and the date and time of treatment, and that information is registered in the database corresponding to the device.

When trouble data is transmitted from the device in which the trouble has occurred to the central unit, it is judged whether or not the above-mentioned second information regarding the device which has transmitted the trouble data is registered in the database, and it is registered. When it is determined that the second information is read from the database together with the first information or alone, the second information is displayed. As a result, the operator can grasp the maintenance history of the device, and based on the history, can give a detailed instruction to the worker regarding maintenance of the device. Further, as in the third aspect of the invention, in a landry machine such as a dryer or a washing machine, fine maintenance suitable for each landry machine can be centrally managed.

In the remote management system of the second and third inventions, when the operator gives a request to the central unit for the order of the date and time of maintenance or the order of the number of occurrences of troubles, the central unit causes the plurality of the aforementioned units to operate. The second information is rearranged in the requested order and displayed. As a result, the maintenance history is processed according to the operator's request, and more detailed maintenance adapted to the landry equipment can be performed. Further, in the case of a landry machine such as a dryer or a washing machine as in the third aspect of the invention, when troubles of different types occur in a certain cycle depending on the type of the landry machine, the cycle and the troubles that occur. It is possible to understand the types of the above, and it is possible to perform maintenance to prevent the occurrence of troubles.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote management system according to the present invention. In the figure, 2 is a landry store, and 1 is a management company that manages a plurality of landry stores 2, 2, .... For the HBS based on the dryer 8, 8, ..., or the washing machine (not shown) and the home bus system (hereinafter referred to as HBS) to which the microcomputers 8a, 8a, ... Interfaces (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 9, 9, ... Are installed.

Microcomputers 8a, 8a, ... Equipped in the dryers 8, 8, ... Start operation related to drying or washing by a charge input instruction and a start instruction such as coin insertion, and rotation speed sensor, temperature Sensors such as sensors 8b, 8
The operation is controlled based on the signals from b, ..., and data such as charge input, start instruction, rotation speed, temperature, and trouble data such as charge input abnormality, rotation speed abnormality, temperature abnormality, etc. are displayed on the I / F 9 for HBS. , 9, ...

Each HBS I / F 9, 9, ... Gives data to the DTC 7 via one twisted pair line 10. The twisted pair wire 10 is connected to the HBS control unit 7b provided in the DTC 7, and the HBS control unit 7b transmits a command requesting data transmission from each of the dryers 8, 8 ... To the DTC 7, and each dryer 8 , 8, ... Controls the response from. The command and response are composed of 18 bits including a start bit (1 bit), data (8 bits), check data (8 bits), and a stop bit (1 bit).

The HBS controller 7b sends and receives data transmission requests and received data to and from the dryers 8, 8, ... With the DTC controller 7a which controls the operation of the DTC 7. DTC controller
The 7a includes an input section 7c in which information such as a landry store name and a telephone number in which the DTC 7 is arranged, a memory 7d for storing data received from the dryers 8, 8, ..., And an RS-23.
I / F 7g such as 2C is connected respectively. Also, HB
The priority order of communication with the dryers 8, 8, ... Is set in the S control unit 7b, and the DTC 7 sends the dryers 8, 8 ,. A data transmission request is transmitted, and the received data is stored in the memory 7d.
Is stored at a predetermined address of.

The DTC 7 is a line control / data transmitter / receiver 6, a public line 5 and a line control / control on the side of the management company 1 such as a modem.
It is connected via a data transmitting / receiving device 4 to an I / F 3d provided in the central unit 3 using a personal computer. Communication between the line control / data transmission / reception device 6 and the line control / data transmission / reception device 4 is performed based on the error correction / data compression method of the MNP 5. In addition, the line control / data transmission / reception device 4 on the management company 1 side and the line control / data transmission / reception device 6 on the landry store side are telephones 1
1 and 12 are connected respectively and are used for call communication.

The central device 3 includes a display device 3b such as a CRT,
An input device 3c such as a keyboard and a control device 3a such as a CPU are provided. When a data transmission request such as a sales amount request or a driving state request is input from the input device 3c, the control device 3a
Transmits it to the DTC 7 of the landry store 2 via the I / F 3d, the line control / data transmission / reception device 4, the public line 5, and the line control / data transmission / reception device 6, and the DTC 7 which has arrived at the line control / data transmission / reception device 4 I / F data from
It is read through 3d and displayed on the display device 3d.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the dryer 8 in FIG. 1. In the figure, 19 and 20 are upper and lower drying chambers. Drying room 19,
Each of the units 20 is provided with an outer tank and a rotary drum (both not shown) axially supported in the outer tank, and the door is opened and closed to store the material to be dried in the rotary drum. The operation section 21 for operating the upper and lower drying chambers 19 and 20 has a coin insertion slot 27 for operating the drying chambers 19 and 20, a card insertion slot 30 and a display for displaying the amount or remaining frequency of the inserted coins. 24, coin box 31 for storing inserted coins, start buttons 25, 25 of drying chambers 19, 20, remaining time indicators 23, 23, operation lamp 2
6, 26, and the display units 22, 22, 22 for displaying the operating conditions, temperatures, presence or absence of abnormality, etc. of the drying chambers 19, 20 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the dryer shown in FIG. 2, and 8a in the figure is a microcomputer. The coin input signal from the coin switch circuit 80b is sent to the input port of the microcomputer 8a by the magnetic sensor 82.
There is a coin jam signal from b, and microswitch 81b
Gives a coin box error signal. Also, a misfire signal from the frame rod 83b, temperature signals from the thermistor 85b provided at the air inlet to the rotary drum, and a temperature signal from the thermistor 86b provided at the air outlet from the rotary drum are detected by the gas valve sensor.
A valve opening / closing signal is given from 84b, a rotation speed signal is given from a drum motor rotation speed sensor 87b and a fan motor rotation speed sensor 88b, and respective motor temperature signals are given from a drum motor thermistor 89b and a fan motor thermistor 92b.

Further, the input port of the microcomputer 8a is supplied with a setting signal for finely adjusting the number of rotations of the drum and a usage charge setting signal from the DIP switch 90. Further, a reset signal for releasing the suspension of the drying operation is given from the reset switch 91, a power source is given from the power source circuit 71, and a clock is given from the clock oscillation circuit 72.

Tables 1 and 2 show examples of abnormalities, criteria for judging abnormalities, and operation stop procedures.

[0024]

[Table 1]

[0025]

[Table 2]

For example, when a coin is inserted and the start button 25 is pressed, the microcomputer 8a gives a command signal to the load drive circuit 70 to start the drying operation to rotate and drive the drum motor and the fan motor. After opening the gas valve to let the gas flow, the ignition operation is performed. At this time, if the ignition signal is not given to the input port from the frame rod 83b in spite of performing the ignition operation, the ignition operation is performed again. And 5 ignition operations in succession
If the ignition signal is not input despite having performed the operation, the microcomputer 8a determines that ignition failure has occurred, sets the flag in the E1 bit of the trouble detection flag 8c, and immediately closes the gas valve to cause both motors to operate. The operation of the dryer is stopped by performing the basic process of stopping the driving of the dryer.

When the microcomputer 8a is in the dry operation mode and the temperature signal input from the thermistor 86b provided at the air outlet from the rotary drum is abnormal due to clogging of the lint filter or the like, the microcomputer 8a After determining that the drum overheat has occurred and setting the flag in the bit E4 of the trouble detection flag 8c, closing the gas valve to extinguish the fire, and supplying the outside air by driving both motors for the remaining time, Cool the drum and shut it down.

The DTC 7 sends a data transmission request to the dryer 8,
.. are periodically transmitted to the microcomputers 8a, 8a, ..., The data transmitted from the microcomputers 8a, 8a ,. Send the stored data as requested. Further, when the stored data includes trouble data such as an abnormality from a sensor arranged in the dryers 8, 8, ... Or theft of charges, the management company 1 through the public line 5 The central device 3 is called and the trouble data is transmitted after the line is connected.

When the control device 3a of the central unit 3 receives the trouble data transmitted by the DTC 7, based on the received trouble data, the name of the concerned store, the model name in which the trouble has occurred, and the trouble code (see Tables 1 and 2). Display device
Display on 3b. The control device 3a is, for example,
As shown in Table 5 and Table 6, the first information such as the cause of the trouble, the inspection method, and the action is provided with the database 3e that is initially registered according to the trouble code, and the operator can display it on the display device 3b. When a request for displaying the initial registration data of the trouble code is input from the input device 3c, the control device 3a reads the initial registration data related to the trouble code from the database 3e and displays it on the display device 3b.

[0030]

[Table 3]

[0031]

[Table 4]

[0032]

[Table 5]

[0033]

[Table 6]

On the other hand, every time a trouble occurs, the inspection items performed during maintenance, the cause of the trouble, the actually taken measures, the tools used for the measures, the person in charge, etc. 2) The information is input from the input device 3c as additional data corresponding to the dryer 8 in which the trouble has occurred, and it is registered in the database 3e. The operator can display the landry device 8 displayed on the display device 3b. Input device 3c for requesting display of additional data
When input from, the control device 3a determines whether the additional registration data for the dryer 8 is registered in the database 3e,
That is, it is determined whether or not a trouble has occurred in the past, and if it is registered, it is read and additional data is displayed on the display device 3b.

4, 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the control procedure in the central unit 3 of the remote management system according to the present invention. The central unit 3 determines whether or not trouble data has been received from the DTC 7 arranged in the landry store 2 (step S1). When it is determined that the trouble data has been received, the central device 3 causes the display device 3b to display a trouble notification screen based on the received trouble data (step S2).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trouble notification screen. As shown in FIG. 7, the trouble report screen is displayed by being interrupted in another display screen, and the fact that the trouble has occurred, its model, the trouble code that has occurred, etc. are displayed.
Also, at the bottom of the screen, the "Details" key area for displaying the next screen showing the details of the trouble, and the "Close" key area for closing the current screen and displaying the screen before the trouble notification screen Is provided.

When the trouble occurrence screen is displayed, the central unit 3 judges whether "details" is selected on the screen (step S3), and when "details" is selected,
The trouble detail monitor menu screen is displayed (step S6). On the other hand, when "Detail" is not selected, the central unit 3 waits until "Close" is selected on the trouble occurrence screen (step S4), and when "Close" is selected, the original screen is displayed on the display device 3b. (Step S5).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining the trouble detail monitor menu screen described above. As shown in FIG. 8, on the trouble detail monitor menu screen, a plurality of blocks arranged in a matrix are displayed under the name of the landry store where the trouble has occurred, and among the blocks, the dryer of the landry store 2 is displayed. Blocks at positions corresponding to the arrangement of 8, 8, ... Are colored. The block at the position corresponding to the arrangement of the dryer 8 in which the trouble has occurred is blinking.

On the left side of this block group, the trouble occurrence date and time are displayed together with the device number, model name, etc. of the dryer 8 related to the blinking block. Below these are the trouble code and the content of the trouble. Is displayed. Further, at the bottom of the screen, a "print" key area for printing the display screen on the paper, a "failure diagnosis" key area for displaying the next screen showing a failure diagnosis, and the "close" key area described above. Is provided.

The central unit 3 judges whether "fault diagnosis" has been selected on the trouble detail monitor menu screen (step S7), and when it judges that another menu has been selected, executes that menu (step S8). ), And proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, when it is determined that “fault diagnosis” is selected, the central unit 3 determines whether or not additional data relating to the trouble code of the dryer 8 is registered in the database 3e (step S9), and the additional data is determined. If it is determined that is not registered, the initial registration data is read from the database 3e, displayed as an initial registration data display screen (step S10), and the process proceeds to step S15.
Also, if it is determined that the additional registration data is registered,
The central unit 3 reads the additional registration data from the database 3e and displays the additional registration data presence / absence display screen displaying the presence / absence of additional data on the initial registration data display screen (step S11).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the initial registration data display screen. As shown in FIG. 9, on the initial registration data display screen, a plurality of inspection items related to the trouble code and corresponding treatment methods (see Tables 3 to 6) are displayed. The device number, model name, trouble code, date and time of occurrence, etc. are displayed on the left side of the display area of the inspection item and the remedy method, and "Close" and "Print" are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
There is provided a key area of "," and a "return" key area for displaying the previous screen.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the additional registration data presence / absence display screen. As shown in Fig. 10, the additional registration data presence / absence display screen displays almost the same items as the initial registration data display screen described above, and the presence or absence of trouble data (additional registration data) corresponding to each inspection item is displayed. ing. At the bottom of the screen, in addition to the "Return", "Print", and "Close" key areas described above, enter a request to edit and display the additional registration data in the order of registration date and time. And a key area for "display in order of the number of occurrences" for inputting a request to edit and display the additional registration data in the order of the number of occurrences.

The central unit 3 judges whether or not "display in order of registration date" is selected on the additional registration data presence / absence display screen (step S12), and when it is judged that it has been selected, the additional registration data read from the database 3e. Are sorted based on the registration date and time and displayed on the display device 3b as a trouble data detail screen (step S13). Further, when the registration date order display is not selected, the central device 3
It is determined whether or not the display in the order of the number of occurrences is selected (step S14), and when it is determined that it is selected, the trouble codes are sorted in descending order of causes and displayed on the display device 3b as a trouble data detail screen ( Step S15). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the display by the number of occurrences is not selected, the central unit 3 determines whether or not another process described later is selected (step S16), and if it is determined that it is selected, the selection is made. Other processing is performed (step S17).

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trouble data detailed screen. As shown in FIG. 11, the model name, trouble code, trouble content, inspection item, and remedy method displayed on the above-mentioned additional registration data presence / absence display screen are displayed at the top of the trouble data detail screen. Below these items, the items of manufacturing number, repair date and time, treatment time, cause, necessary tools, and person in charge are displayed in a horizontal row, and corresponding data is displayed under each item. Further, the above-mentioned "return", "print" and "close" key areas are provided at the bottom of the screen. As described above, when "Display by date of registration" is selected on the previous screen, the repair date and time item is displayed, for example, the past date and time from the date and time of the last repair, and the data of other items are correspondingly displayed. Is displayed. When "Display by number of occurrences" is selected on the previous screen, the cause items are displayed in descending order of the number of occurrences, and correspondingly other data is displayed.

The central unit 3 is adapted to display the initial registration data following the data display of each item. As a result, the additional registration data, which is configured according to the trouble actually occurring in the landry device and is frequently used, is displayed before the initial registration data that is less frequently used. Therefore, the search efficiency of the operator is improved. on the other hand,
The initial registration data can be displayed as necessary by performing a scroll operation.

The central unit 3 judges whether or not to end the trouble detail monitor depending on whether or not the "close" key area is selected on each display screen (step S18),
When the "close" key area is selected and it is determined that the trouble detail monitor is to be ended, the screen before the trouble notification screen is displayed (step S19) and the process returns to step S1.

In step S1, the central unit 3
When it is judged that new trouble data from TC7 has not been received, it is judged whether or not the additional registration menu is selected in order to additionally register the data obtained by the maintenance related to the trouble that occurred this time to the additional registration data. (Step S20), if it is determined that it has been selected, the trouble data input screen is displayed (Step S21).

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the trouble data input screen. As shown in FIG. 12, the model name of the trouble data transmitted, the trouble code, and the trouble content are displayed at the top of the trouble data input screen. Below these, items such as manufacturing number and repair time are displayed.
An operator inputs data according to each item. In addition, in the lower part of the screen, along with the "return" and "print" key areas described above, the "registration" key area for registering the input data in the database 3e, and the initial registration data registered in the database 3e. A key area of "trouble data search" for searching additional registration data is provided.

When the operator inputs data to each item displayed on the trouble data input screen and selects registration, the central unit 3 judges it (step S22) and adds the input data to the database 3e. Register (step S23). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the additional registration menu is not selected, the central unit 3
Judges whether the trouble data search menu has been selected (step S24), and when it judges that the trouble data search menu has been selected, executes a predetermined trouble data search menu (step S25). On the other hand, if it is determined that the trouble data search menu is not selected, the central unit 3 determines that another process is selected, and executes the other selected process (step S26).

[0050]

As described in detail above, in the remote management system according to the first and third inventions, the operator can grasp the maintenance history of the device (land device) in which the trouble has occurred. Based on the history, it is possible to give the worker detailed instructions regarding maintenance of the device. Therefore, the worker can efficiently perform the appropriate maintenance work.

In the remote management system according to the second and third aspects of the invention, the maintenance history is rearranged according to the operator's request. For example, by rearranging the troubles of the equipment (landscape equipment) in descending order of occurrence of troubles, it becomes possible to quickly clarify the cause of the troubles. Further, by rearranging the trouble occurrence date and time in order, it is possible to grasp the trouble occurrence cycle, and it is also possible to perform maintenance to prevent the occurrence of trouble. Play.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the dryer in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the dryer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in a central device of the remote management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the central device of the remote management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the central device of the remote management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a trouble notification screen.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a trouble detail monitor menu screen.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an initial registration data display screen.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an additional registration data presence / absence display screen.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a trouble data detail screen.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a trouble data input screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Management company 2 Landry store 3 Central device 3a Control device 3b Display device 3c Input device 3e Database 5 Public line 7 Data controller (DTC) 8 Dryer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Based on data from a plurality of sensors,
A device for controlling the operation and transmitting a trouble data by detecting a trouble, and a device which is arranged apart from the device and remotely manages the device based on the trouble data transmitted from the device. In the remote management system, the central device includes a database in which first information related to maintenance is registered in advance for each type of trouble, and a second database for things required to perform equipment maintenance.
Means for inputting information, means for registering the input second information in the database corresponding to the device, and second information related to the device transmitting the information based on the trouble data in the database A remote management system comprising means for determining whether or not there is any information, means for reading the first information and / or second information from the database, and means for displaying the first information and / or the second information . 2. The remote management system according to claim 1, wherein the central device further comprises means for rearranging the plurality of read second information. 3. The device is a landry device.
Alternatively, the remote management system described in 2.