WO2016046328A1

WO2016046328A1 - System for monitoring and managing maintenance activities

Info

Publication number: WO2016046328A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/072004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro FABIANI
Original assignee: Fabiani Alessandro
Priority date: 2014-09-25
Filing date: 2015-09-24
Publication date: 2016-03-31

Abstract

A system for monitoring and managing apparatus maintenance and/or surveillance and/or inspection and/or certification activities, comprising: at least one label (2; 2') which is adapted to be applied and associated uniquely with one of a plurality of apparatuses (1; 1'), the label (2; 2') comprising an identification code (2a; 2a'); at least one electronic verification device (3; 3') which is associated uniquely with a maintenance user, the verification device being adapted to read the identification code; a remote server (5) which is adapted to store information related to the apparatuses (1; 1') and to the verification device (3; 3'); the verification device being adapted to identify the apparatuses by way of reading an identification code and to provide the remote server with information related to the identified apparatuses, the information comprising data for locating the position of the apparatuses and the verification device and data that can be associated with the duration of a maintenance activity performed by the maintenance user on the apparatuses; the remote server being adapted to correlate the received information with maintenance activity.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND MANAGING MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES

The present invention relates to a monitoring system, in particular a system for monitoring the maintenance activity of apparatuses, particularly of fire extinguishers and air conditioners.

The maintenance, surveillance, inspection, and certification of the apparatuses used in company environments and of systems in general is essential in order to ensure the correct operation thereof and the safety of the employees who use them. Typically, the managers of a system organize periodic checks, which involve deploying specialist personnel, who go to the place where the systems to be checked are located and carry out the checks required by law, writing safety reports in which they certify which checks they have carried out and what activities were necessary to restore the system or make it safe. For example, if the system is constituted by fire extinguishers, the maintenance worker checks if these have been deployed correctly and that they have not yet expired or also, for air conditioning systems, the worker checks that the temperature of the environments that they air-condition is correctly controlled, modifying it if necessary.

In some cases, dishonest maintenance workers do not carry out the checks and they submit untruthful written statements that declare the maintenance has been carried out. This places the safety of users of these apparatuses in danger and exposes the companies where the maintenance workers are employed to costly legal actions. The problem is due to the fact that it is not possible to verify with certainty that the workers have actually visited the place where the maintenance is to be carried out. It is even less possible to verify that the maintenance operations have been carried out correctly because often the maintenance workers do not have all the necessary information available.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the known art, by providing a new system which is capable of making it possible to monitor the activities of maintenance and/or surveillance and/or inspection and/or certification of the systems in such a manner as to ensure that the maintenance activities have actually been carried out.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a system that makes it possible to attest that the maintenance has been carried out correctly and in compliance with the regulations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system that is easy to implement and which uses devices that are easily sourced on the market.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a system that makes it possible to render maintenance operations more effective and which permits a greater level of control of the work of the maintenance personnel.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system according to claim 1, by an application according to claim 8, and by a method according to claim 9.

Advantageously, the system enables the traceability of maintenance operations.

Conveniently, the system makes it possible to organize periodic and extraordinary maintenance operations.

Preferably, the system uses devices that can be sourced on the market and which are low cost.

Advantageously, the system enables an effective and rapid transmission of information, which makes it possible to eliminate the use of paper-based records.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows, which is given as a non-limiting example with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a flowchart that explains the operation of the system according to the present invention.

An illustrative architecture of the system that is the subject matter of the present invention is summed up in the block diagram in Figure 1 , which shows apparatuses that require maintenance 1, Γ; a plurality of labels 2, 2', each applied to a single apparatus 1, Γ; verification devices 3, 3', each associated uniquely with a worker tasked with the maintenance of the apparatuses 1 , Γ; and a remote server 5 connected by way of a telecommunications network 4 to the verification devices 3, 3'.

The apparatuses 1, Γ are generic devices that can be used in various environments, for example corporate, hospital, and civil environments, which are subject to wear and deterioration and which require periodic checking and maintenance of their operation, such requirement also being imposed by regulations. For example the apparatus 1, Γ can be a fire extinguisher, an air conditioner, a printer cartridge, or an elevator. Although merely for reasons of simplicity of description Figure 1 shows only two apparatuses 1 , Γ, the number of apparatuses that can be subjected to verification for a given context can be many. Furthermore, each apparatus can comprise a plurality of components. Each apparatus 1, Γ to be maintained is provided with a label 2, 2' which is applied for example by the maintenance provider.

The label 2, 2' is capable of being applied firmly on an apparatus 1 , Γ or on components thereof. The label 2 is preferably provided in such a manner (with anti-tear properties) as to make its separation difficult from the apparatus 1, Γ to which it is applied. The label 2, 2' is preferably provided by way of a sticker or a fabric coupon. The label 2, 2' comprises a unique identification code 2a, 2a'.

The unique code 2a, 2a' makes it possible, with methods that will be better apparent hereinafter, to identify the apparatus 2, 2' to which it is applied by way of the respective label 2, 2'. Preferably, the unique code 2a, 2a' is provided by way of a tag of the RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) type or by way of a QR code (Quick Response Code).

In an embodiment, the unique code 2a, 2a' is provided using RFID technology, i.e. the unique code 2a, 2a' is a tag 2a, 2a' i.e. a conventional electronic device made up substantially of a chip and an RF (radio frequency) antenna, which are mounted on a substrate that also acts as a physical support. The chip is the intelligent part, constituted by a nonvolatile memory and a generally unique code, which is transmitted by way of the RF antenna to a reader, which is comprised in the verification device 3, 3'. The chip of the tag 2a, 2a', once powered, for example by the field emitted by a tag reader, transmits all its information by radiating it to the reader. The tag 2a, 2a' is adapted to be suitably contained by the label 2, 2'.

In a second embodiment, the unique code 2a, 2a' can also be provided by way of a QR code that contains stored information that can be extracted by way of scanning which is done using means of the verification device 3, 3', such as a camera or software means.

The verification device 3, 3' is conventional and is capable of processing information on the basis of instructions provided by an operator or by external devices and of executing software modules installed therein. The device 3, 3' is preferably mobile, and can easily be transported by the operator so as not to cause encumbrance or annoyance. The verification device 3, 3' can be for example a smartphone, or an equivalent device such as a tablet computer, a computer, a hand-held device or any other information technology medium provided to the maintenance worker, and which in any case has computing capability and can interface with external peripherals connected thereto, such as for example the remote server 5. The system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of devices 3, 3', each of which is assigned preferably exclusively to a maintenance worker and each of which can be identified by the remote server 5. The verification device 3, 3' is connected to the remote server 5 by way of the telecommunications network 4 which is preferably a mobile network. Preferably, the device 3, 3' comprises a unique identifier which enables the remote server 5 to distinguish it from other devices 3, 3' which are provided to other workers and therefore it enables the remote server 5 to identify the worker to whom it is assigned. Preferably, such unique identifier of the device 3, 3' comprises the IMEI code (International Mobile Station Equipment Identity) of a telephone card installed on the device 3, 3'. The device 3, 3' comprises means adapted to read the unique code 2a, 2a'. For example, if the unique code 2a, 2a' is provided as an RFID tag, then the device 3, 3' will be provided with an tag reader which is capable of interrogating the tag 2a, 2a' contained in the label 2, 2'. Preferably the reader of the verification device 3, 3' is capable of detecting the tags 2a, 2a' that are in the immediate vicinity of the verification device 3, 3' i.e. it is preferably a reader of the NFC (Near Field Communication) type. In other words, the verification device 3, 3' is preferably able to detect which apparatuses 1, 1' are proximate to the worker to which it is assigned. The verification device 3, 3' communicates, by way of a message, the outcome of such detections to the remote server 5.

Preferably, the verification device 3, 3' is also capable of generating information that makes it possible to indicate to the remote server 5 the geographic position (for example by way of triangulation or GPS signal) of the verification device 3, 3', and of sending such information to the remote server 5. In this manner it is possible to establish the position of the maintenance worker and therefore establish whether or not the worker is in the place where the apparatuses 1 , Γ are located. Communication between the server 5 and the verification device 3, 3' occurs by way of the telecommunications network 4 which is managed by an external body for example a telephone service provider and therefore the information sent cannot be altered/modified in any way by the worker. The operator of the device 3, 3' cannot in any way modify the data generated as a consequence of the reading by the device 3 of the code 2a, 2a'. In other words, the verification device 3 is capable of sending data of the certified type. Preferably, such data comprise, in addition to the identifier of the code 2a, 2a', additional data as well, such as the date and place where the detection occurred and the identifier of the verification device 3, 3'.

In any case, the device 3, 3' is capable, by way of an adapted software application, of sending the remote server 5 a series of data and images that certify the actions performed and the installation/maintenance activities carried out by the maintenance worker to whom the device 3, 3' is assigned. Likewise, the device 3, 3' thanks to the software application is capable of receiving instructions from the remote server relating to the maintenance activity to be performed, preferably in the form of a message that can conveniently be displayed on the interface of the verification device 3, 3'.

The remote server 5 contains and processes information relating to the apparatuses 1, Γ which is supplied by the verification device 3, 3'. The remote server 5 has the list of the verification devices 3, 3' that are authorized to send information regarding the detection of the tags 2 a, 2 a' contained in the labels 2, 2' which are applied to the apparatuses 1, 1'.

Preferably, an administrator of the server 5 can, according to suitable methods, enable the consultation of and access to the data on the server 5 for various persons involved in the process of control and monitoring.

The remote server 5 is capable of maintaining, for each operator provided with a device 3, 3', a series of items of information relating to the apparatuses 1, Γ including data automatically supplied by the device 3, 3' (for example geolocation information, date, time, the identification of the worker or of the moment when the verification device 3, 3' performs the detection) or previously by the administrator of the server 5, and of making such information available to authorized personnel and organizing it in such a manner as to allow the preparation of reports to verify observance of safety regulations. In particular, once the data has been received from the device 3, 3' the remote server 5 extracts such information and, for example by way of a software application, prepares safety reports, preferably sending them to supervisors. Furthermore, the remote server 5, thanks to the information collected and supplied thereto, represents an audit trail that makes it possible to establish whether the maintenance workers carry out the maintenance operations according to the instructions given. Preferably the remote server 5 is provided using the cloud computing technology and therefore by way of groups of remote servers connected via the internet.

With reference to the flowchart in Figure 2, the operation of the system according to the invention will now be explained.

For reasons of simplicity of description and for the purposes of non- limiting example it is assumed that the apparatus 1, Γ which requires maintenance is a fire extinguisher. It is further assumed that the remote server 5 already stores the information relating to the place where the maintenance is to be carried out, for example the number of fire extinguishers, their location, information about the company and about the personnel who handle the maintenance. The company is assigned a plurality of labels 2, 2', the same number as the number of fire extinguishers that need to be checked, and optional additional labels which can be arranged in the place where they are located, for example at the entrance to the company. Furthermore it is assumed that the code 2a, 2a' is provided by way of an RFID tag.

In step 10 the maintenance worker affixes a label 2, 2' containing the unique code 2a, 2a' to each one of the fire extinguishers that are present in the area to be monitored. In this manner each fire extinguisher can be uniquely identified (for example a first fire extinguisher is associated with a tag 2a containing an identification information item such as "AAAOOl ", and a second fire extinguisher is associated with a tag 2a' containing an identification information item such as "AAA002"). Preferably a label 2, 2' is also affixed to the room that contains the apparatuses 1, Γ. The maintenance worker enables the code 2a, 2a' by way of reading it and sending the remote server 5 an association request that comprises, among other things, the place where the fire extinguisher 1 , 1 ' is or the area where the fire extinguishers to be monitored are (for example, " 12 Plane Tree Road"). The remote server 5 makes this association and in other words it associates the unique code with the fire extinguishers 1, 1'. The operations in step 10 are preliminary operations to maintenance i.e. they are carried out for apparatuses that need to be enabled i.e. which are not associated with any unique code 2a, 2a'. Typically, the operations in step 10 are carried out only the first time the worker visits the area to be inspected or when an apparatus 1 , Γ of the system to be monitored is to be replaced.

In step 20, the device 3 obtains a list from the remote server of the work orders i.e. the list of fire extinguishers to be monitored and the maintenance operations to be performed. Such maintenance operations, which are comparable to a "to do list", comprise the place and date in which to perform the maintenance, the list of operations to carry out, and the list of any components/spare parts necessary in order to conclude the maintenance operation. In this manner the maintenance worker is in possession of specific and unmistakable indications of the operations to be carried out. As an example, the maintenance worker receives the order to check the status of the fire extinguisher located in a certain place.

In step 30, the maintenance worker goes to the place where the fire extinguisher is and performs the reading of the tags 2a, 2a' on it. For example the maintenance worker "tags" the tag (or area code) associated with the area where the fire extinguishers 1, Γ to be monitored are located, such tag preferably being arranged on the entrance door to the room. As a consequence of this reading, an information item is generated and sent to the remote server, containing the time, the place, and the code read. Such information shows that the maintenance worker actually visited the area to be monitored. The reading of the tag 2a, 2a' associated with the fire extinguisher generates an information item for sending to the remote server 5 which is interpretable as the beginning of the maintenance activity, for example checking the expiry date or that it functions correctly.

In step 40, the maintenance worker prepares a message, preferably by way of the software means of the device 3, which is sent to the remote server. Such message indicates the positive outcome of the maintenance operations, or unforeseen contingencies that arose during the operations which resulted for example in the indications received in step 20 not being followed. The maintenance worker therefore tags the code 2a: such reading generates an information item, to be sent to the remote server 5, which indicates the time and place in which the second reading occurred. Such second reading is associated with the end of the maintenance activities. Such information item and the message are sent to the remote server 5 which can then, on the basis of the information received, establish the times and methods with which the worker carried out the maintenance operations.

In practice it has been found that the method and the system described fully achieve the intended aim and objects. In particular, it has been seen that the system thus conceived makes it possible to overcome the qualitative limitations of the known art by making it possible, among other things, to constantly check the activities of maintenance and/or surveillance and/or inspection and/or certification and by speeding up the execution thereof.

Clearly, numerous modifications are evident and can be readily executed by the person skilled in the art without extending beyond the scope of protection of the appended claims.

For example, it is possible to configure the remote server 5 so that it handles deadlines for managing operations. The server 5 can for example generate alerts in advance (for example, of the type: " ! ! ! IMPORTANT REMINDER ! ! ! ! Ref. Elevator no. 1-2-3-4 serial no. 0000A in building 'The Maples, London' DEADLINE FOR REPLACEMENT OF RELAY: 01/01/2014") which are sent to workers and which tell them the operations to be carried out. In this manner, given that the alert message is received in advance, the maintenance worker can visit the place where the maintenance is to be carried out, bringing with him/her the tools necessary to do so.

Hence, the scope of protection of the claims shall not be limited by the explanations or by the preferred embodiments illustrated in the description by way of examples, but rather the claims shall comprise all the patentable characteristics of novelty that reside in the present invention, including all the characteristics that would be considered as equivalent by the person skilled in the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2014A001665

(102014902295983) from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and managing apparatus maintenance and/or surveillance and/or inspection and/or certification activities, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one label (2; 2') adapted to be applied and associated uniquely with one of a plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ), said label (2; 2') comprising an identification code (2a; 2a');

- at least one electronic verification device (3; 3'), each said at least one verification device (3; 3') being associated uniquely with a maintenance user, said at least one verification device (3; 3') being adapted to read said identification code (2a; 2a');

- a remote server (5) adapted to store information related to said plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ) and to said at least one verification device (3;

3');

said at least one verification device (3; 3') being adapted to identify said plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ) by way of reading said identification code (2a; 2a') and to provide said remote server (5) with information related to said plurality of identified apparatuses (1 ; ), said information comprising data for locating the position of said plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ) and of said at least one verification device (3; 3') and data that can be associated with the duration of a maintenance activity performed by said maintenance user on said apparatuses (1 ; 1'); said remote server (5) being adapted to correlate said received information with said maintenance activity.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said identification code (2a; 2a') comprises a code of the Quick Response Code or QR type, or a tag of the radio-frequency identification or RFID type.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one verification device (3; 3') has a unique identifier associated therewith, preferably a code of the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity or IMEI type, said remote server (5) being adapted to identify said verification device (3; 3') on the basis of said unique identifier of said verification device (3; 3').

4. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one verification device (3; 3') comprises a smartphone or a tablet computer, said device being provided with a camera, with an RFID tag reader and with a Global Positioning System or GPS signal transceiver.

5. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one verification device (3; 3') is adapted to associate uniquely said identification code (2a; 2a') with the apparatus on which said label (2; 2') is applied; said association comprising the reading of the identification code (2a; 2a') and the sending to said remote server (5) of an association request on the part of said at least one verification device (3 ; 3').

6. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said remote server (5) comprises a database, said database comprising an organized list of said identification codes (2a; 2a') and of said at least one verification device (3; 3'); said remote server (5) being adapted to receive a list of instructions adapted to be forwarded to said at least one verification device (3; 3'), said instructions comprising maintenance operations to be performed on said plurality of apparatuses (1 ;

1')·

7. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ) comprises preferably fire extinguishers and air conditioners and in that said remote server (5) is provided by way of technology of the cloud computing type.

8. An application adapted to be run on electronic verification devices (3; 3') which are comprised within the system according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, said application being adapted to: - identify one of a plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ) by way of reading an identification code (2a; 2a') and sending a signal to a remote server (5);

- receive, on the part of said remote server (5), a list of maintenance operations to be performed on said identified apparatus (1 ; 1');

- generate, following a second reading of said identification code (2a;

2a'), said second reading being associable with the end of the maintenance activity, a signal that is intended for the remote server (5) and which comprises the outcome of said maintenance activity.

9. A method for monitoring and managing the maintenance activities of apparatuses, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

- providing one or more labels (2; 2'), each adapted to be applied and associated uniquely with an apparatus of a plurality of apparatuses (1 ; ), said one or more labels (2; 2') each comprising an identification code (2a; 2a');

- providing at least one electronic verification device (3; 3') associated uniquely with a maintenance user, said verification device (3; 3') being adapted to read said identification code (2a; 2a');

- providing at least one remote server (5) adapted to store information related to said plurality of apparatuses (1 ; Γ) and to said verification devices (3; 3');

- identifying, on the part of said at least one verification device (3; 3'), said apparatuses (1 ; ) by way of reading said identification code (2a; 2a');

- providing, on the part of said electronic verification device (3; 3'), said remote server (5) with information related to said identified apparatuses (1 ; Γ), said information comprising data for locating the position of said apparatuses (1 ; ) and of said electronic verification device (3; 3') and data that can be associated with the duration of a maintenance activity performed by said maintenance user on one or more of said apparatuses (1 ; 1');

- correlating, on the part of said remote server (5), said information received from said verification device (3; 3') with said maintenance activity.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said step of identifying comprises checking whether said identification code (2; 2a') is associated with said apparatus (1 ; ) and, if it is not, sending an association request to said remote server (5).