AU2017226772B2 - Integrated system for shutdown method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated system and method for shutting down facilities, which render the conventional shutdown method safer, more reliable and efficient, for one or more facilities involved in a maintenance plan. The system comprises at least one display device, at least one user interface device for interaction between different users and the system by input of validation information and instructions, and an integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and the at least one user interface device, wherein the at least one display device has different interconnected user interfaces for shutting down and reactivating the facilities involved in the maintenance plan, these interfaces comprising: a user interface for the user implementing the shutdown, a user interface for the supervisor, and a user interface for the user that carries out the maintenance operations. In order to shutdown the one or more facilities, the user interface for the user implementing the shutdown informs of the beginning of the shutdown of the facilities by instructing the user implementing the shutdown, while the user interface for the shutdown supervisor continues the shutdown process and the user interface for the user that carries out the maintenance operations completes the shutdown. In order to reactivate the one or more facilities, the user interface for the user that carries out the maintenance operations informs of the beginning of the reactivation of the one or more facilities by instructing the at one or more users carrying out the maintenance operations, the user interface for the shutdown supervisor continues to implement the reactivation of the one or more facilities, and the user interface for the user that implements the shutdown completes the reactivation, communicating the end of the shutdown to the integration and control module, which sends the control signal to activate the one or more shutdown facilities once all the system users that participated in the shutdown have reactivated the one or more facilities.

Description

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR BLOCKING PROCEDURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from United States Patent Application No. 62/303,714 filed on 4 March 2016, entitled, "Digital Remote System for Locking Procedure", which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an integrated system for an improved blocking or isolation procedure in order to replace the blocking procedure used to date in any worksite or any major work (mining, construction, manufacture, etc.) worldwide, so that to increase safety, reliability and efficiency of the procedure.

[0003] The purpose of the blocking procedure is to ensure that any form of power is disconnected while a person is making repairs, cleaning and maintenance works in facilities and inspections to machines or equipment in any sector of the industry.

[0004] In this context, the blocking procedure is used to render a power supply inoperative, which when being activated or put into operation may energise or activate equipment that can jeopardise a person's safety, its environment, the equipment and/or machines in operation.

[0005] Blockings, therefore, are used to isolate the energy of one or several equipment or machines, thus ensuring that the equipment or machinery to be controlled cannot be operated until blocking ends.

BACKGROUND

[0006] Each document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, which means that it should be read and considered by the reader as part of this text. That the document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is not repeated in this text is merely for reasons of conciseness.

[0007] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the invention.

PRIOR ART

[0008] At present, the blocking procedure is totally performed by hand, i.e. not one of its steps and information is processed, treated or handled by an integrated system.

[0009] This procedure meets the objective of protecting the physical integrity of those workers intended to participate in a maintenance work. This comprises from the persons in charge of performing the physical blocking, through the different supervisor, to the worker being physically in touch with the elements subject to maintenance.

[0010] This is reached by eliminating any form of energy that can cause an accident while performing maintenance to a certain element or piece of equipment. These energies can be electric, potential, hydraulic, mechanic, etc.

[0011] Broadly speaking, the blocking procedure comprises the following steps: i. The need of doing a maintenance action in an element inside the company, work or worksite, whether scheduled or unexpectedly; ii. Blocking the power supplies for the elements to be maintained, intervened or inspected, and also for those that may affect these directly or indirectly; iii. Restricting the unblocking of the power supplies through physical padlocks with their corresponding single keys; iv. Locating the keys restricting access to these power supplies inside a container that can be closed by multiple physical padlocks; v. Closing said container with one or several trees of personal padlocks (individualised with a single key), from a supervisor to its subordinates; vi. Performing the maintenance action; vii. Opening the container after each worker has removed its personal padlock; viii. Removing blockings from the power supplies; and ix. Restoring the power supplies.

[0012] At present, several failures have been detected for this kind of operations that compromise the security of the personnel performing maintenance works to the equipment and/or that compromise the operation continuity. Among said failures, the following should be highlighted: i. Potentially hostile environment for the books in which the information on the maintenance of a unit should be recorded, thus generating the possibility of loss of information due to damage thereof; ii. In those cases where there is a substantial volume of workers, congestion is produced, since they must register in the same book; iii. Impossibility of instantaneous checking if the blocking requested is in execution; and iv. Difficulty to parallelise access to maintenance when placing personal padlocks.

[0013] It is therefore necessary to have a system for the blocking procedure and a blocking procedure that can solve the problems stated above, providing greater security, reliability and efficiency to the procedure.

[0014] It is important to note that for the purposes of this invention, the concept of "maintenance" includes any action of inspection, intervention, repair or other kinds of action

requiring an equipment to be stopped for such an action to be performed, whether scheduled or unexpectedly, involving de-energising the unit to be maintained. Therefore, a "maintenance plan" is not restricted to those scheduled maintenance works, but it also refers to any kind of maintenance, whether scheduled or unexpected.

[0015] It is also relevant to say that the term "equipment" refers to any component, machine or element of the industry being deactivated through the blocking procedure, for its maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The integrated system for the blocking procedure of the present invention has been designed to support the current blocking procedure through digitalisation and integration of its components into a specific system.

[0017] Four stakeholders are defined in this integrated system that participate in four stages defined for the blocking procedure. Said stakeholders are:

[0018] Maintenance Planner: This is the user in charge of entering maintenance works into the system, whether scheduled or unexpected, defining the elements or equipment to be blocked, in addition to define the persons that will participate in this maintenance.

[0019] Blocking Executor: This is the user in charge of blocking and unblocking the power supplies for the elements or equipment in which maintenance will be performed.

[0020] Blocking Supervisor: This is the user in charge of one or more persons that will work with him/her in the element(s) subject to maintenance.

[0021] Work Executor: This is the user or users that will eventually perform maintenance to the element or equipment.

[0022] Additionally, the stakeholders mentioned above interact with the system of the invention in a blocking procedure that comprises the following preferred structure:

BLOCKING ENTERING

[0023] This is the step where the maintenance planner user enters the blocking of the system. Among the information entered into the system, the element or equipment to be maintained can be found, as well as the date in which maintenance will be performed and the persons that will be present during maintenance.

BLOCKING EXECUTION

[0024] This is the step where blocking is implemented. Here the blocking executor user, the blocking supervisor user(s) and the work executor user(s) participate.

[0025] First, the blocking executor user blocks the elements or equipment subject to maintenance and also those affecting or being affected by said maintenance, for instance through individual physical padlocks for each element. According to an embodiment, said user gathers all keys of physical padlocks and places them in a closed box. Finally, according to this embodiment, the blocking executor user places a personal digital padlock in the closed box, which prevents this from being opened until all persons involved in maintenance have finished working.

[0026] After that, the blocking supervisor user or users check that all persons under its charge have been entered into the system and assigned to the corresponding maintenance, so that later to place a personal digital padlock in the closed box.

[0027] Finally, the work executor user(s) approach to a terminal of the system and each one of them apply their personal digital padlock.

MAINTENANCE EXECUTION

[0028] This is the step where the work executor users perform the maintenance work itself.

END OF BLOCKING

[0029] This is the step where blocking must be removed and the operation of the elements or equipment just maintained restored.

[0030] First, the work executor user(s) indicate the end of their tasks by removing the personal digital padlock; once each supervisor user has confirmed the leaving of all its workers, they may take their personal digital padlocks. Finally, once all supervisor users have removed their personal digital padlocks, the blocking executor user will be authorised by the system to take its personal digital padlock.

[0031] Considering the above, the parties involved in the blocking procedure interact with the system of the invention in order to execute the blocking of equipment according to the maintenance schedule or according to maintenance unforeseen events that may occur on a daily basis. To this effect, the system of the invention has a display device and user interface devices that form a terminal of the system for the interaction of the different stakeholders with the system of the invention, mainly starting and ending a maintenance plan. Additionally, the system of the invention comprises an integration and control module that processes the information entered by the users and controls the power supplies of the equipment involved in the maintenance plan. The integration and control module integrates the information entered by the users of the control systems of the equipment and/or machines to be maintained; this way the power supply of the equipment or machines is controlled and the stop thereof is ensured during the maintenance process and the later reactivation of supply once maintenance has ended.

[0032] In this context, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an integrated system for the blocking and deblocking (i.e. isolation and de-isolation) of equipment for maintenance. The system comprises the following: at least one display device, and at least one user interface device for the interaction of different users with the system by entering validation information and instructions, the system also comprises an integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and with the at least one user interface device, wherein the integration and control module processes the validation information and the instructions entered by the users and sends a control signal for deactivation or activation of one or several power supplies of the equipment involved in the maintenance plan, blocking or unblocking said equipment respectively, wherein the at least one display device and with the at least one user interface device are integrated for the validation of the identity of users, with the at least one display device comprising a processor and at least a storage means configured to process and store the validation information and the instructions, wherein the at least one display device shows different user interfaces communicated each other for the blocking and unblocking of the equipment in the maintenance plan, with said interfaces comprising: a blocking executor user interface that allows the blocking executor user to interact with the equipment to be blocked, so that to start the blocking of the equipment or complete the unblocking thereof by deactivating or activating the same, respectively, a supervisor user interface allowing the blocking supervisor user(s) to register the users that will execute the maintenance work in the equipment(s) to be blocked and allowing the supervisor user(s) to interact with the equipment to be blocked in order to continue with the blocking of the equipment or continue with the unblocking thereof, and a maintenance work executor user interface allowing the work executor user(s) to interact with the equipment to be blocked in order to complete the blocking of the equipment or start the unblocking thereof, wherein for the blocking of the equipment, the blocking executor user interface communicates the start of blocking of that equipment by giving instructions to the blocking executor user, who places one or several physical padlocks in each equipment to be blocked, with said physical padlocks blocking the access to the power supply or supplies of the equipment to be blocked, the start of blocking being communicated to the integration and control module that sends the control signal for deactivating the equipment to be blocked, wherein the supervisor user interface continues the blocking of the equipment allowing each supervisor user to register the work executor users, and wherein the maintenance work executor user interface completes the blocking by keeping the interaction of the work executor users with the equipment blocked, wherein for the unblocking of the equipment, the maintenance work executor user interface communicates the start of unblocking of the equipment through instructions of the work executor users, wherein the supervisor user interface continues the unblocking of the equipment through the instructions of each supervisor user, wherein the blocking executor user interface completes the unblocking through instructions of the blocking executor user and the removal of the physical padlock(s), communicating the end of the blocking to the integration and control module that sends a control signal for activating the blocked equipment once all the users of the system participating in the blocking have unblocked the equipment.

[0033] Another embodiment of the system also comprises at least one closed box in communication with the integration and control module, wherein the closed box receives an opening signal to open a gate of the box and a closing signal to close said gate, with the opening and closing signals being sent by the integration and control module.

[0034] An alternative embodiment of the system comprises the closed box being configured to receive the keys of the physical padlock(s), wherein the closing and opening signals of the closed box are sent by the blocking executor user through the blocking executor user interface, using a digital personal padlock allowing the blocking executor user to close the box when said padlock is applied in order to send the control signal that starts the blocking and to open the box when said padlock is removed, once the supervisor user(s) and the work executor user(s) have unblocked the equipment.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the system also comprises a digital personal padlock for each supervisor user, which must be applied by said users before completing the blocking and that must be removed by said users before completing the unblocking.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the system also comprises a digital personal padlock for each work executor user, which must be applied by each work executor user before in order to complete the blocking and that must be removed by each work executor user in order to start the unblocking.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the integration and control module is configured to restrict the removal of the personal digital padlocks, so that the removal of the personal digital padlock applied by each supervisor user is only possible if each work executor user has removed its personal digital padlock. Also the removal of the personal digital padlock by the blocking executor user by opening the closed box is only possible if each supervisor user has removed its personal digital padlock.

[0038] According to another embodiment, the at least one user interface device comprises a biometric sensor for the identification of the identity of the user or users. Additionally, according to another embodiment, the at least one display device comprises a touch screen for the interaction with the user or users providing a digitalised system. In this respect, one embodiment of the invention comprises that the personal digital padlock includes a biometric characteristic of the users, for example their fingerprints.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the system comprises multiple display devices and multiple user interface devices located in different places, wherein said multiple display devices and of user interface devices are integrated for the operations of blocking and unblocking of the equipment. According to this embodiment, the integrated system of the invention can be remotely controlled by integrating all terminals into a network.

[0040] According to an alternative embodiment, maintenance planner user enters blocking information before starting the blocking, identifying the equipment involved in the blocking and the maintenance work executor user(s).

[0041] According to an alternative embodiment, the display device and the user interface device are integrated into a terminal of the system, wherein multiple terminals of the system can be located in different places for the proper interaction with the users participating in the blocking. Additionally, these terminals of the system can execute one or more blocking procedures at the same time in different equipment, including different groups of users.

[0042] On the other hand, the present invention also comprises an integrated method for the blocking and deblocking (i.e. isolation and de-isolation) of equipment for maintenance, with the method comprising the following steps: starting the blocking of the equipment using a blocking executor user interface integrated into at least one display device and into at least one device of user interface, through which the blocking executor user enters validation information and instructions to start the blocking of the equipment by deactivating them, placing one or several physical padlocks for each equipment to be blocked, with said physical padlocks blocking the access to the power supply or supplies of the equipment to be blocked, sending a control signal for deactivating the equipment to be blocked, once the blocking executor user has started the blocking, with said signal being sent by an integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and with the at least one user interface device, continuing the blocking of the equipment using a supervisor user interface integrated into the at least one display device and into the at least one user interface device, through which one or more blocking supervisor users enter the user or users who will execute the maintenance work in the equipment and through which each blocking supervisor user enters validation information and instructions to continue with the blocking, completing the blocking of the equipment by using a maintenance work executor user interface integrated into the at least one display device and the at least device of user interface, through which each blocking supervisor user enters validation information and instructions to complete the blocking, starting the maintenance works in the equipment blocked, once the maintenance works are ended in the equipment blocked, starting the unblocking of the equipment by using the maintenance work executor user interface, through which each work executor user enters validation information and instructions to start the unblocking, continuing the unblocking of the equipment using the supervisor user interface, through which each blocking supervisor user enters validation information and instructions to continue with the unblocking, completing the unblocking of the equipment using the blocking executor user interface, through which the blocking executor user enters validation information and instructions to complete the unblocking, removing the physical padlock(s) that block the access to the power supply or supplies of the equipment to be blocked, and sending a signal of control for activating the equipment to be unblocked once all users that participate in the blocking have unblocked the equipment, with said signal being sent by the integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and the at least one user interface device, wherein the validation information and instructions entered by the users are processed by at least one processor and stored in at least one storage means, in at least one processor and the at least one storage means forming part of the display device in order to validate the identity of the users, and wherein the validation information and instructions entered by the users are processed in the integration and control module being in communication with the at least one display device and the at least one user interface device.

IU

[0043] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method also comprises sending an opening signal to open a gate of a closed box and sending a closing signal to close said gate, with said closed box being in communication with the integration and control module that send the opening and closing signals. In this context, the stage of placing the physical padlock(s) can also comprise placing the keys of the physical padlock(s) in the closed box, wherein the closed box closing and opening signals are sent by the blocking executor user through the blocking executor user interface, using a personal digital padlock allowing the blocking executor user to close the box when said padlock is applied in order to send the control signal that starts the blocking, and to open the box when said padlock is removed in order to complete the unblocking once the supervisor user and the work executor users have unblocked the equipment.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the stage of continuing the blocking also includes applying a personal digital padlock by each supervisor user, which personal digital padlock must be applied by said users before completing the blocking and because the stage of continuing with the unblocking also includes removing the personal digital padlock by each supervisor user, which personal digital padlock must be removed by said users before completing the unblocking. In this context, the stage of completing the blocking can also include applying a personal digital padlock by each work executor user, which personal digital padlock must be applied by each work executor user to complete the blocking, and because the stage of starting the unblocking also includes removing the personal digital padlock by each work executor user.

[0045] According to an embodiment, removing the personal digital padlock applied by each supervisor user is only possible if each work executor user has removed its personal digital padlock and because removing the personal digital padlock by the blocking executor user opening the closed box is only possible if each supervisor user has removed its personal digital padlock, wherein this restriction is applied by the integration and control module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0046] As part of the present application, the following figures are shown that represent the invention, show preferred embodiments thereof and, therefore, should not be considered as restrictions to the definition of the subject matter claimed by the present application.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a diagram representing the integrated system for the blocking procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a general scheme of the blocking procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a general scheme of the blocking procedure according to the blocking executor user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a general scheme of the blocking procedure according to the blocking supervisor user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a general scheme of the blocking procedure according to the work executor user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A FORM TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0052] Figure 1 shows a diagram representing the integrated system of the present invention, wherein at least three terminals form part of a set called blocking station, with said terminals comprising display devices and user interface devices for the interaction with the users that participate in the system, in particular the supervisor users and the work executor users, wherein the terminals of the blocking station can be located in different locations in the complex or facility where the equipment to be maintained is located. According to figure 1, the at least three terminals belonging to the blocking station communicate each other through a switch, which is in turn located in the system communicating with it through a network.

[0053] Additionally, figure 1 shows a fourth terminal that is part of the system, wherein said terminal forms a set called electric room. The fourth terminal has a display device and a user interface devices for the interaction of users with the system, in particular the blocking executor users. According to the embodiment of figure 1, the terminal of the electric room communicates with the network directly.

[0054] Finally, figure 1 also comprises a room of servers with at least two servers comprising the applications that define the user interfaces and the database used by said interfaces, in particular for the validation information of users and the processing of instructions. Said room of servers comprises the integration and control module of the present invention that communicates with each terminal through the network interface. According to this embodiment, the integration and control module is located separately of each terminal, but it is possible for said module to be part of each terminal, forming an intercommunicated network that uses the network as the server of the main link.

[0055] It is important to note that the display devices and the user interface devices forming part of each terminal according to a preferred embodiment, are provided with touch screens that comprise at least one processor and at least one storage means and high-service fingerprint sensors, that allow detecting said biometric characteristic and the user interaction under unfavourable conditions, for example in the rain or even in highly dirty environment facilitating the interaction with the user. In this sense, preferred embodiments comprise said devices to be at least waterproof, allowing their placement outdoors.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a representative diagram of the blocking procedure according to the present invention, wherein it can be seen that according to an option said procedure begins with the entry of the maintenance plan, entered by the maintenance planner user. Then, the blocking executor user starts the blocking process by performing a verification of the equipment to be blocked and proceeding with the blocking thereof, placing the physical padlock or padlocks to block the respective power supplies and placing the key(s) of said padlocks in the closed box, according to one embodiment of the invention. In addition, the scheme shows that the blocking executor user completes the process of starting the blocking by applying a digital padlock that signals the closing of the gate of the closed box.

[0057] Continuing with the process, figure 2 shows that after applying the personal digital padlock by the blocking executor user, the blocking supervisor user is authorised to validate and / or enter the workers or users who will execute the maintenance work, after which said blocking supervisor user also applies his digital padlock to continue with the process of blocking the equipment to be maintained. With the above, the user or executors of the work, which have been entered and / or validated by the supervisor user, can place their own digital padlocks to complete the blocking, thus initiating the maintenance operations on the previously blocked equipment. It is important to note that although the blocking is completed in this instance, the de energisation of the equipment occurred when the blocking executor user blocked them and placed the respective physical padlocks.

[0058] Once the maintenance work has been completed, according to Figure 2, each work executor user removes their digital padlock, thus authorising the blocking supervisor user(s) to remove their digital padlock, and with which authorises the blocking executor user to remove his/her digital padlock by opening the closed box, removing the keys from the physical padlocks and activating the power supplies when removing the physical padlocks that block said power supplies, reactivating the blocked equipment and completing unlocking, ending the blocking procedure. According to this embodiment, the personal digital padlocks of each user are given by a biometric characteristic thereof, particularly by the fingerprint, a characteristic that is used both as a means for validating the identity of the participating users and for establishing the padlocks digital rights and authorisations.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a diagram where the blocking executor user interface and its functions are defined, wherein it can be seen that said interface offers a "Main View", which is displayed on the display device of the system terminal, wherein said main view allows selecting the "Enter Electrician" option. Said option allows the blocking user to access the system through the application of a biometric feature in a terminal of the system, particularly through the user interface device. The system verifies the validation information of the user and, if the biometric feature is found, the system arranges the visualisation of the blocking executor user interface. If the user's biometric feature is not found, a message is displayed indicating that the feature has not been found, returning to the validation stage of the user's identity or cancelling the process.

[0060] In the blocking executor user interface, shown as the "Electrician View" in Figure 3, it allows the user to leave the interface, moving to the main system view. If the blocking executor user does not leave his interface, he has the option to block or unblock equipment, depending on whether there are blocks in progress or whether he wants to start a new block. If you select the blocking of equipment, the verification of the biometric characteristic of the blocking executor user is requested, which blocks the equipment, sending the respective control signal through the integration and control module, deactivating the power supply of the equipment in question. If fingerprint is not verified, it returns to the main screen of the blocking executor user interface ("Electrician View"). According to one modality, this action is carried out in connection with a maintenance planning, wherein said planning includes a prior definition of the equipment involved in it, for the blocking of each one of them independently by the blocking executor user. In this scenario, biometric verification is performed when all equipment in the maintenance plan has been blocked. On the other handle, if in the selection of blocking or unblocking of the equipment the user selects the option to unblock, the system consults if each of the users who execute the work unlocked the or the equipment in question. If all the users who execute the work have unlocked the equipment, the blocking executor user verifies its biometric characteristic and completes the unlocking of the equipment and / or the complete maintenance plan, automatically unblocking all the equipment involved. If, on the contrary, one or more of the users who execute the work have not unblocked the equipment, the system avoids completing the unblocking of said equipment and returns the interface to the "electrician view" and/or displays a message indicating the reason why it is not allowed to complete the unlocking.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a diagram where the blocking supervisor user interface and its functions are defined, wherein it can be seen that said interface offers a "Main View", which is displayed on the display device of the system terminal, wherein said main view allows selecting the option "Enter Supervisor". Said option allows the blocking supervisor user to access the system through the application of a biometric feature in a system terminal, particularly through the user interface device. The system verifies the validation information of the user and, if the biometric feature is found, the system arranges the visualisation of the blocking supervisor user interface. If the user's biometric feature is not found, a message is displayed indicating that the feature has not been found, returning to the validation stage of the user's identity or cancelling the process.

[0062] In the blocking supervisor user interface, shown as the "Supervisor View" in Figure 4, it is allowed that the supervisor user registers one or more work executor users or "workers", for which a "Register Worker View" is available that allows to enter the data of the worker, register a biometric characteristic of the same, for example, one or several fingerprints, and confirm the registration, turning then to the "Supervisor View". If the registration of a new worker is not desired, the system asks the supervisor user if it wants to break the block, which action can be applied if there is a blocking in progress, which translates to whether that user will continue with the block or unlock the equipment. If you select "Break Padlock", you will proceed with the unlocking of the equipment, which according to an embodiment is only possible if all the work executor users have unlocked the equipment. If the supervisor user does not wish to unblock the equipment, the system offers the option of leaving the supervisor user interface, since no other action is necessary by the supervisor user to continue blocking, moving to the main system view. According to an alternative embodiment, the user supervisor the blocking will be able to unlock the equipment by a worker manually.

[0063] Finally, Figure 5 shows a diagram where the work executor user interface and its functions are defined, wherein it can be seen that said interface offers a "Main View", which is displayed on the terminal's display device of the system, wherein said main view allows to select the option "Enter worker". Said option allows the work executor user(s) to access the system by applying a biometric feature in a terminal of the system, particularly through the user interface device. The system verifies the validation information of the user and, if the biometric feature is found, the system arranges the visualisation of the blocking executor user interface. If the user's biometric feature is not found, a message is displayed indicating that the feature has not been found, returning to the validation stage of the user's identity or cancelling the process.

[0064] In the work executor user interface, shown as the "Worker View" in Figure 5, the user is allowed to leave the interface, moving to the main system view. If the work executor user does not leave its interface, you have the options to block or unblock a computer. If you select the blocking of equipment, the verification of the biometric characteristic of the work executor user is requested, which completes the blocking of the equipment. If fingerprint is not verified, it is returned to the main screen of the work executor user interface ("Worker View"). On the other hand, if in the selection of blocking or unblocking of the equipment the user selects the option to unblock, the system asks for verifying the identity of the user and proceeds to initiate the unlocking of the equipment by said users.

[0065] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0066] Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0067] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (22)

1. An integrated system for the blocking and deblocking (i.e. isolation and de-isolation) of equipment for maintenance, the system comprising: at least one display device, and at least one user interface device for the interaction of different users with the system by entering validation information and instructions, wherein the system also comprises an integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and with the at least one user interface device, wherein the integration and control module processes the validation information and the instructions entered by the users and sends a control signal for deactivating or activating one or several power supplies of the equipment involved in the maintenance plan, blocking or unblocking said equipment respectively, wherein the at least one display device and the at least one user interface device are integrated for the validation of the identity of users, the at least one display device comprising at least one processor and at least one storage means configured to process and store the validation information and the instructions, wherein the at least one display device has different user interfaces communicated each other for the blocking and unblocking of the equipment, said interfaces comprising: a blocking executor user interface, that allows a blocking executor user to interact with the equipment to be blocked, so that to start the blocking of the equipment or complete the unblocking thereof by deactivating or activating the same, respectively, a supervisor user interface allowing to one or more blocking supervisor user(s) to register the user(s) who will execute the maintenance work in the equipment(s) to be blocked and allowing each supervisor user to interact with the equipment to be blocked in order to continue with the blocking of the equipment or continue with the unblocking thereof, and a maintenance work executor user interface allowing the work executor user(s) to interact with the equipment to be blocked in order to complete the blocking of the equipment or start the unblocking thereof, wherein for blocking the equipment, the blocking executor user interface communicates the start of blocking of said equipment by giving instructions to the blocking executor user, who places one or several physical padlocks in each

/ equipment to be blocked, said physical padlocks blocking the access to the power supply or supplies of the equipment to be blocked, the start of blocking being communicated to the integration and control module that sends the control signal for deactivating the equipment to be blocked, wherein the blocking supervisor user interface continues the blocking of the equipment allowing each supervisor user to record the work executor user(s), and wherein the maintenance work executor user interface completes the blocking by keeping the interaction of the work executor user(s) with the blocked equipment, wherein for unblocking the equipment, the work executor user interface communicates the start of unblocking of the equipment(s) through the instruction of the work executor user(s), wherein the blocking supervisor user interface continues the unblocking of the equipment through the instructions of each supervisor user, wherein the blocking executor user interface completes the unblocking through instructions of the blocking executor user and the removal of the physical padlock(s), communicating the end of the blocking to the integration and control module that sends a control signal for the activation of the blocked equipment once all the users of the system participating in the blocking have unblocked the equipment.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one closed box in communication with the integration and control module, wherein the closed box receives an opening signal to open a gate of the box and a closing signal to close said gate, the opening and closing signals being sent by the integration and control module.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the closed box is configured to receive the keys of the physical padlock(s), wherein the closing and opening signals of the closed box are sent by the blocking executor user through the blocking executor user interface, using a digital personal padlock allowing the blocking executor user to close the box when said padlock is applied, in order to send the control signal that starts the blocking, and to open the closed box when said padlock is removed, once the supervisor user(s) and the work executor user(s) have unblocked the equipment.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a digital personal padlock for each supervisor user, which must be applied by said supervisor users before completing the blocking and that must be removed by said supervisor users before completing the unblocking.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising a digital personal padlock for each work executor user, which must be applied by each work executor user in order to complete the blocking and that must be removed by each work executor user in order to start the unblocking.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the integration and control module is configured to restrict the removal of the personal digital padlocks, so that the removal of the personal digital padlock applied by each supervisor user is only possible if each work executor user has removed its personal digital padlock, and the removal of the personal digital padlock by the blocking executor user, by opening the closed box, is only possible if each supervisor user has removed its personal digital padlock.

7. The system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the personal digital padlock(s) correspond to a biometric characteristic of the users, for example fingerprint.

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one user interface device comprises a biometric sensor for identifying the identity of the user(s).

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERISED in that the at least one display device comprises a touch screen for the interaction with the user or users.

10. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising multiple display devices and multiple user interface devices located in different places, wherein said multiple display devices and user interface devices are integrated for the equipment blocking and unblocking operations.

11. The system according to any preceding claims, wherein a maintenance planner user enters blocking information before starting the blocking, identifying the equipment involved in the blocking and the maintenance work executor user(s).

12. An integrated method for the blocking and deblocking (i.e. isolation and de-isolation) of equipment for maintenance, wherein the method comprises the following steps: starting the blocking of the equipment using a blocking executor user interface integrated into at least one display device and to at least one user interface device, through which the blocking executor user enters validation information and the instructions to start the blocking of the equipment by deactivating the same, placing one or several physical padlocks for each equipment to be blocked, with said physical padlocks blocking the access to the power supply or supplies of the equipment to be blocked, sending a control signal for deactivating the equipment to be blocked, once the blocking executor user has started the blocking, said signal being sent by an integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and with the at least one user interface device, continuing the blocking of the equipment using a blocking supervisor user interface integrated into the at least one display device and into the at least one user interface device, through which one or more blocking supervisor users enter the user or users who will execute the maintenance work in the equipment and through which each blocking supervisor user enters validation information and instructions to continue with the blocking, completing the blocking of the equipment by using a maintenance work executor user interface integrated into the at least one display device and into the at least one user interface device, through which the work executor user(s) enters validation information and instructions to complete the blocking, starting the maintenance works in the one or more blocked equipment, once the maintenance works have ended in the blocked equipment, starting the unblocking of the equipment by using the maintenance work executor user interface, through which each work executor user enters validation information and instructions to start the unblocking, continuing the unblocking of the equipment using the blocking supervisor user interface, through which each blocking supervisor user enters validation information and instructions to continue with the unblocking, completing the unblocking of the equipment using the blocking executor user interface, through which the blocking executor user enters validation information and instructions to complete the unblocking, removing the physical padlock(s) that block the access to the power supply or supplies of the blocked equipment, and sending a control signal for activating the equipment to be unblocked once all users that participate in the blocking have unblocked the equipment, said signal being sent by the integration and control module in communication with the at least one display device and the at least one user interface device, wherein the validation information and instructions entered by the users are processed by at least one processor and stored in at least one storage means, the at least one processor and the at least one storage means forming part of the display device in order to validate the identity of the users, and

4U

wherein the validation information and instructions entered by the users are processed in the integration and control module being in communication with the at least one display device and the at least one user interface device.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising sending an opening signal to open a gate of a closed box and sending a closing signal to close said gate, said closed box being in communication with the integration and control module that sends the opening and closing signals.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of placing the physical padlock(s) also comprises placing the keys of the physical padlock(s) in the closed box, wherein the closed box closing and opening signals are sent by the blocking executor user through the blocking executor user interface, using a personal digital padlock allowing the blocking executor user to close the box when said padlock is applied, in order to send the control signal that starts the blocking, and to open the box when said padlock is removed, in order to complete the unblocking once the supervisor user(s) and the work executor user(s) have unblocked the equipment.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of continuing the blocking also includes applying a personal digital padlock by each supervisor user, which personal digital padlock must be applied by said users before completing the blocking, and in that the step of continuing the unblocking also includes removing the personal digital padlock by each supervisor user, which personal digital padlock must be removed by said users before completing the unblocking

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of completing the blocking also includes applying a personal digital padlock by each work executor user, which personal digital padlock must be applied by each work executor user to complete the blocking, and in that the step of starting the unblocking also includes removing the personal digital padlock by each work executor user.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein removing the personal digital padlock applied by each supervisor user is only possible if each work executor user has removed its personal digital padlock, and in that removing the personal digital padlock by the blocking executor user, opening the closed box, is only possible if each supervisor user has removed its personal digital padlock, wherein this restriction is applied by the integration and control module.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the personal digital padlock(s) correspond to a biometric characteristic of users, for example fingerprints.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the validation of the identity of the user(s) is by means of a biometric sensor included in the at least one user interface device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the interaction of the user(s) is by means of a touch screen included in the display device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, further comprising multiple display devices and multiple user interface devices located in different places, wherein said multiple display devices and user interfaces devices are integrated for the equipment blocking and unblocking operations.

22. The method according to anyone of claims 12 to 21, wherein, before starting the blocking, comprises that a maintenance planner user enters blocking information, identifying the equipment involved in the blocking and the maintenance work executor user(s).

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