JP7709358B2 - Inspection Systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection system.

Manufacturers of seismic isolation rubber, hydraulic dampers used together with seismic isolation rubber to isolate structures from earthquakes, and hydraulic dampers, viscoelastic dampers, steel dampers, and friction dampers used to control vibrations in structures inspect whether the product's performance meets the certification standards set by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and customer required specifications (hereinafter referred to as "certification standards, etc."), and ship products that pass the inspection to consumers. In addition to shipping the product to the consumer, the manufacturer issues an inspection certificate to the consumer to certify that the product's performance meets the certification standards, etc.

In the past, in an attempt to make it more difficult for manufacturers to falsify inspection certificates and increase the reliability of products, an inspection certificate issuing system has been proposed that extracts the inspection results to be shown in the inspection certificate from a database that records the inspection results, generates inspection certificate image information that displays an inspection certificate that includes signature image information prepared in advance by the issuer and the extracted inspection results, and issues the inspection certificate image information obtained by adding index information related to the manufactured product to the inspection certificate image information (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The proposed inspection certificate issuing system issues inspection certificates to consumers as image information, which is useful in that it makes it difficult to falsify inspection certificates and improves the reliability of inspection certificates.

However, if the inspection certificate issued with the product is not for the product that was actually tested, but for another product, the inspection certificate has not been falsified, but since it does not accurately represent the performance of the product that was actually tested, doubts will arise as to whether the product meets the certification standards, etc.

In conventional inspection certificate issuing systems, a product and the inspection certificate obtained for that product are linked in a database, but there is no way to prove that the inspection certificate was obtained from the inspection of that product when the product was inspected, and there is a possibility that a product and the inspection certificate that should be linked to that product may be mixed up due to human error or other reasons.

Therefore, in patent application No. 2021-019430, the applicant proposed to certify that the inspection certificate data and the product from which the inspection certificate data was obtained are the same by photographing the serial number attached to the product attached to the inspection device with a camera and performing a process of adding certification information to the image data obtained by the camera and the inspection certificate data obtained by inspecting the product. According to this proposal, it can be proven that the sample from which the inspection certificate data was obtained and the sample photographed in the image data are the same sample, so it can be guaranteed that the inspection certificate data is inspection certificate data obtained for a sample that was actually inspected.

JP 2002-132998 A

However, if a sample is inspected without installing a camera at the time of inspection, doubts will arise as to whether the sample for which the test report data was obtained is the same as the sample actually subjected to the inspection. In addition, if there is other equipment besides a camera used for inspecting samples, there is a possibility that correct test report data will not be obtained if the sample is inspected without using that equipment.

In this way, in conventional testing systems, when a device is used for testing a sample, there is a possibility that the testing operator will forget to use that device to test the sample and still perform the test, and there is no way to prevent this, so if a test is performed without using that device, the test must be repeated, resulting in double work.

The present invention aims to provide an inspection system that can prevent inspection workers from forgetting to use the equipment used in the inspection.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the testing system of the present invention comprises a testing device for testing samples, a detection device for detecting the presence or absence in a waiting area of equipment used for testing samples and stored in the waiting area when not being tested, and a control device for determining whether or not the equipment is being used for testing based on the detection result of the detection device, disabling the execution of the test if the equipment is not being used for testing, and enabling the execution of the test if the equipment is being used for testing. According to the testing system configured in this way, whether or not the equipment is being used properly for testing is determined based on the presence or absence in the waiting area of the equipment used for testing samples, and controlling whether or not the test can be performed, so that the testing operator can recognize that he or she has forgotten to use equipment necessary for testing by the inability to perform the test, and the testing system can encourage the testing operator to use the equipment.

Furthermore, the control device in the inspection system may disable the end process of the inspection by the inspection device if the detection device detects that the equipment is not in the waiting location after the inspection is performed by the inspection device. According to an inspection system configured in this manner, if the detection device detects that the equipment is not in the waiting location after the inspection, it is possible to prevent the inspection from being ended without the equipment being returned to the waiting location, and to prevent the equipment from being forgotten to be returned or lost. Furthermore, since the equipment is returned to the waiting location after the inspection is completed, if the detection device detects that the equipment is not in the waiting location at the time of the next inspection, it means that the equipment has been taken out of the waiting location and is being used for the inspection, and it is possible to prevent the inspection from being performed without the equipment being used for the inspection, no matter how many times the inspection is repeated.

The inspection system may also include an operation unit that displays an inspection start button that accepts operation by the inspection operator, and the control device may disable the pressing of the inspection start button if the detection device has equipment in the waiting area before the inspection is performed by the inspection device. With an inspection system configured in this manner, not only can the inspection be prevented from being performed when the equipment is not being used for the inspection, but by disabling the pressing of the inspection start button, the inspection operator can be made aware that he or she has forgotten to use the equipment.

Furthermore, the inspection system may have an operation unit that displays an inspection end button that accepts operation by the inspection operator, and the control device may disable the pressing of the inspection end button if the detection device does not have the equipment in the waiting location after the inspection is performed by the inspection device. With an inspection system configured in this manner, not only can the inspection end process be prevented if the equipment has not been returned to the waiting location after the inspection, but by disabling the pressing of the inspection end button, the inspection operator can be made aware that he or she has forgotten to store the equipment in the waiting location.

The detection device in the inspection system may be installed in a waiting area and used as a sensor capable of detecting the presence of equipment. With an inspection system configured in this way, there is no need to provide a detection device to detect the presence or absence of equipment in the damper, which is the sample to be inspected by the inspection device, and therefore preparation for inspection can be carried out quickly without the trouble of installing a detection device on the sample each time a new sample is inspected.

In addition, the equipment in the testing system may hold a permanent magnet that can be attracted to a specimen or testing device, and the detection device may be a magnetic sensor installed in a waiting area. According to a testing system configured in this manner, the permanent magnet used to install the equipment on the specimen or testing device is detected by a magnetic sensor, so not only can the equipment be easily installed on the specimen or testing device using the permanent magnet, but the presence or absence of the equipment can also be detected without providing a new permanent magnet corresponding to the magnetic sensor, thereby reducing the cost of the testing system.

The inspection system of the present invention can prevent inspection workers from forgetting to use the equipment used for the inspection.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inspection device in an inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection device main body in the inspection system according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control unit of an inspection apparatus in the inspection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display on an operation unit of an inspection apparatus in the inspection system according to the embodiment; 13 is a diagram showing another example of the display on the operation unit of the inspection apparatus in the inspection system according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging device in the inspection system according to the embodiment. 8A is a side view of the second camera as a device in the inspection system of the embodiment, and FIG 8B is a front view of the second camera as a device in the inspection system of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a server in the inspection system according to the embodiment. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an inspection system according to an embodiment.

The present invention will be described below based on the embodiment shown in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an inspection system S in one embodiment is configured to include an inspection device 1 that inspects a specimen, a detection device 4 that detects the presence or absence of a second camera 22, which is used to inspect the specimen and is stored in the waiting area 3 when not being inspected, in the waiting area 3, and a control device. The inspection system S in this embodiment inspects a damper D used for seismic isolation or vibration control of a structure as a specimen.

The following describes each part of the inspection system S in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection device 1 is configured with an inspection device main body 10 that holds a damper D as a specimen and applies vibration to the damper D, a stroke sensor 11 that detects the stroke displacement of the damper D, a load cell 12 that detects the load exerted by the damper D, a control panel 13 that controls the vibrator 10c in the inspection device main body 10, and a reading device 14 that reads the two-dimensional code affixed to the damper D.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection device main body 10 includes a stand 10a, a holding part 10b that is provided on the stand 10a and is movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 2 to hold one end of the damper D, and a vibrator 10c that is provided on the stand 10a and connected to the other end of the damper D to apply vibrations to the damper D.

The vibrator 10c is controlled by a control panel 13. The control panel 13 drives the vibrator 10c according to predetermined inspection conditions to apply vibration to the damper D according to the inspection conditions. The damper D, which is a specimen in this embodiment, is a damper equipped with a cylinder 5 and a rod 6 that moves in and out of the cylinder 5, and exerts a damping force when the rod 6 moves in the axial direction relative to the cylinder 5. In addition, the cylinder 5 in the damper D is stamped with a serial number as identification information, and a piece of paper 9 on which a two-dimensional code is written is attached. The two-dimensional code is a coded information including identification information for identifying the damper D, such as the serial number, model, and product number of the damper D, and is displayed on the damper D by attaching the piece of paper 9 to the damper D. The identification information is information that can distinguish each damper D manufactured, and in this embodiment, it is the serial number. The identification information may be an identification symbol or identification number that is given in addition to the serial number in a manner that can distinguish each damper D.

The identification information only needs to be attached to the damper D in such a way that it cannot be easily removed from the damper D, which is the specimen, and may be attached by engraving on the cylinder 5 of the damper D in addition to the piece of paper 9 affixed to the cylinder 5. When the identification information is attached to the damper D by engraving in addition to the piece of paper 9, the identification information is displayed in multiple places, so even if one of the piece of paper 9 or the engraving becomes difficult to see, the identification information can be read from the other, which is preferable.

The inspection device 1 is equipped with a stroke sensor 11 that detects the stroke displacement of the damper D and a load cell 12 that detects the damping force in order to inspect the characteristics of the damping force generated when the telescopic damper D, which is the specimen, is vibrated by the vibrator 10c. It is also equipped with a temperature sensor 15 that detects the air temperature at the installation location of the inspection device 1 and a temperature sensor 16 that detects the temperature of the damper D.

The stroke sensor 11 detects the stroke displacement, which is the displacement of the rod 6 relative to the cylinder 5 of the damper D, and inputs it to the control panel 13. The load cell 12 is interposed between the damper D and the holding part 10b, and detects the load received from the damper D and inputs it to the control panel 13. The load detected by the load cell 12 is the damping force exerted when the damper D expands and contracts. The temperature sensor 15 inputs the detected air temperature at the installation location of the inspection device 1 to the control panel 13, and is equipped with a display unit (not shown) to display the detected temperature on the display unit. The temperature sensor 16 inputs the detected temperature of the damper D to the control panel 13, and is equipped with a display unit (not shown) to display the detected temperature on the display unit. If it is desired to detect the stroke speed of the damper D, the stroke displacement may be differentiated by the control panel 13. If there is information to be included in the inspection data other than the stroke displacement and damping force of the damper D, a sensor corresponding to the detection of that information may be provided, and the information may be included in the inspection data.

2, the control panel 13 includes a control unit 13a for controlling the vibrator 10c of the inspection device main body 10, an interface 13b, and an operation unit 13c for receiving operations by the inspection operator, and in this embodiment, functions as a control device that controls the inspection device 1 based on the detection result of the detection device 4. The control device determines whether the second camera 22 as equipment is being used for the inspection, and disables the execution of the inspection if the second camera 22 is not being used for the inspection, and enables the execution of the inspection if the second camera 22 is being used for the inspection. Thus, in the inspection system S of this embodiment, the control device is integrated in the control panel 13 in the inspection device 1, but may be provided independently of the control panel 13.

4, the control unit 13a includes a storage device 13a1 that stores a program for controlling the vibrator 10c and generating inspection data and performing processing as a control device, a calculation processing device 13a2 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes the program, a clock 13a3 that counts time, and a drive circuit 13a4 that drives the vibrator 1c according to instructions from the calculation processing device 13a2. The control unit 13a drives the vibrator 10c according to parameters that determine the vibration to be applied to the damper D during the inspection of the damper D. The interface 13b exchanges signals between the stroke sensor 11, the load cell 12, the temperature sensors 15 and 16, the reading device 14, and the time synchronization server 8 that are communicatively connected to the control panel 13, and the control unit 13a, and converts information communicated according to a communication protocol so that information can be exchanged between the server 7 installed outside and the control unit 13a via the Internet line N, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the operation unit 13c includes a display device 13c1 that displays the test start button 13c2 and the test end button 13c3. The display device 13c1 is a touch panel display, and displays the test start button 13c2 and the test end button 13c3 on the touch panel display. When the display device 13c1 detects the pressure of the test start button 13c2 and the test end button 13c3 by the inspection operator, the control unit 13a recognizes that the test start button 13c2 and the test end button 13c3 have been pressed. The display device 13c1 in the operation unit 13c may display information about the inspection, such as identification information of the damper D, which is a specimen, in addition to the test start button 13c2 and the test end button 13c3. The operation unit 13c may be a mobile terminal, tablet terminal, smartphone, or the like that is independent of the control unit (control device) 13 as hardware, as long as it can communicate with the control panel (control device) 13 and function as an operation unit.

In this way, the control panel 13 in the inspection device 1 is connected to the server 7 via the Internet line N so that it can communicate with it. The control panel 13 is connected to a time synchronization server 8, a detection device 4, and an image capture device 20 equipped with a second camera 22 (described later) via a network L such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and can exchange information with them.

During the inspection of the damper D by the inspection device 1, the control unit 13a continuously reads and sequentially stores the stroke displacement value detected by the stroke sensor 11 and the damping force value detected by the load cell 12 at a predetermined sampling period, and generates a CSV file in which the values stored up to that point are described in the fields. More specifically, the control unit 13a generates a CSV file in which the fields are described with records such as the inspection date, inspection time, temperature, information such as the serial number, model, and product number of the damper D to be inspected, and inspection data consisting of the stroke displacement and damping force obtained during the inspection. Note that the inspection data is generated for each vibration inspection, and all of the values obtained during the inspection are recorded in the CSV file. Therefore, for example, when vibration inspection is performed three times with a vibration pattern that applies five sinusoidal vibrations to the damper D, three CSV files are generated. Note that the inspection data, which is the inspection result, may be generated as a file in a format other than a CSV file.

When the inspection device 1 starts inspecting the damper D, the control unit 13a accesses the database DB previously stored in the storage device 13a1, reads the inspection conditions associated with the damper D registered in the database DB, and drives and controls the vibrator 10c according to the inspection conditions, thereby inspecting the damper D.

Specifically, the control panel 13 accesses the database DB from the information of the damper D read by the reading device 14, and references the database DB to read the inspection conditions associated with the damper D. The inspection conditions are made up of parameters that need to be specified for the inspection device main body 10 to inspect the damper D, such as the frequency, amplitude, and vibration waveform of the vibration to be applied to the damper D. After completing the parameter setting, the control panel 13 uses the inspection operator's pressing of the inspection start button 13c2 displayed on the display device 13c1 provided on the operation unit 13c as a trigger to drive the vibrator 10c to apply vibration to the damper D. When inspecting the damper D, the control panel 13 controls the vibrator 10c to apply vibration to the damper D according to the inspection conditions.

As will be described in more detail later, when the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 as equipment is in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 displays the first warning display 13c4 in the range where the inspection start button 13c2 is displayed on the display device 13c1, as shown in FIG. 6, to disable the inspection operator from pressing the inspection start button 13c2, thereby controlling the inspection device 1 to be unable to inspect the damper D.

In this embodiment, the reading device 14 is a decoding device that processes an image of a captured two-dimensional code and converts it into text data including the identification information of the damper D, and inputs the read identification information of the damper D to the control panel 13. When the control panel 13 receives the identification information, it accesses the database DB, refers to the database DB, extracts the inspection conditions associated with the information of the damper D received from the reading device 14, and reads in the inspection conditions.

In addition, in the inspection device 1 of the inspection system S of this embodiment, the control panel 13 does not accept input of the inspection conditions for the damper D by the inspection operator operating the operation unit 13c when inspecting the damper D. Therefore, after the identification information of the damper D is read by the reading device 14, the control panel 13 automatically sets parameters based on the inspection conditions registered in the database DB, and the inspection operator of the inspection device 1 cannot change the inspection conditions until the inspection is completed.

The database DB may be stored in an external server or server 7 (not shown) instead of in the storage device 13a1, and the control panel 13 may access the server or server 7 (not shown) each time to download the inspection conditions and perform the inspection. In the inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the two-dimensional code is read by the reader 14 to perform the inspection. However, instead of this embodiment, the inspection conditions may be input by the inspection operator operating the control panel 13, and the inspection operator may set the inspection conditions each time the damper D is inspected, and the damper D may be inspected.

When the inspection of the damper D by the inspection device 1 is completed, the inspection operator presses the inspection end button 13c3 displayed on the display device 13c1 to instruct the control panel 13 to execute the process of generating the inspection report data K1 and adding the certification information. The control unit 13a generates the inspection report data K1 as an image file, triggered by the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3, which displays various information such as the inspection date and inspection time, information indicating the attributes of the damper D as the specimen, such as the serial number, model, and product number of the damper D, and inspection result information by analyzing and processing the inspection data obtained by inspecting the damper D to display a graph of the inspection results, maximum and minimum values of the damping force, and the pass/fail judgment of the inspection in a predetermined format.

Furthermore, the control unit 13a assigns a time to the inspection certificate data K1 so that the time when the inspection certificate data K1 is processed is displayed as certification information in the image of the generated inspection certificate data K1. Specifically, the control unit 13a uses the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3 as a trigger to read the time output by the clock 13a3 and assigns this time to the inspection certificate data K1 as certification information. In this way, the control panel 13 performs a process of assigning certification information to the inspection certificate data K1 by the execution of software by the control unit 13a.

When adding the certification information to the inspection report data K1, the control unit 13a may use the time as part of the file name of the inspection report data K1 instead of or in addition to displaying the time in the image. The control unit 13a may perform the process of adding the certification information during the process of generating the inspection report data K1 from the inspection data, and may end the process of adding the certification information simultaneously with or before the end of the process of generating the inspection report data K1.

The control unit 13a obtains time information from a time synchronization server 8 that is provided externally and counts the time at a predetermined cycle, and corrects the time of the clock 13a3 to the time obtained from the time synchronization server 8, thereby synchronizing with the time of the time synchronization server 8. In this embodiment, the predetermined cycle is set to one hour, but can be changed to any cycle.

The control panel 13 is communicatively connected to the server 7 via the Internet line N, and transmits the inspection certificate data K1 with the certification information to the server 7. The control panel 13 may transmit a CSV file, which is the inspection data, to the server 7 in addition to the inspection certificate data K1.

As will be described in more detail later, when the detection device 4 does not detect that the second camera 22 as an equipment is in the waiting area 3, that is, when the control panel 13 does not detect the second camera 22 at the waiting area 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the control panel 13 displays a second warning display 13c5 in the range where the end of inspection button 13c3 is displayed on the display device 13c1, making it impossible for the inspection operator to press the end of inspection button 13c3, and controls the inspection device 1 so that it cannot perform processing such as generating inspection report data.

As shown in FIG. 7, the photographing device 20 includes a first camera 21 capable of photographing the inspection device 1 and the damper D, which is the specimen, when the damper D is attached to the holder 1b and the vibrator 1c, a second camera 22 capable of photographing the serial number engraved on the cylinder 5 of the damper D, and a camera control device 23 that controls the first camera 21 and the second camera 22.

The first camera 21 is installed in advance at a position that includes the damper D and the inspection device 1 holding the damper D in its imaging range, and its operation is controlled by the camera control device 23. The second camera 22 is stored in a predetermined waiting area 3 when not being inspected, and during inspection it is moved from the waiting area 3 and installed on the cylinder 5 of the damper D so that the serial number engraved on the cylinder 5 is included in its imaging range, and its operation is controlled by the camera control device 23. The second camera 22 is installed on the damper D so that the inspection operator can visually recognize the serial number of the damper D in the captured image.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second camera 22 includes a camera body 30 and a base 31 that supports the camera body 30. The base 31 includes a bracket 31a that holds the camera body 30 and a pair of legs 31b that extend downward from the bracket 31a.

The camera body 30 is equipped with a lens for photography (not shown) at its lower end. In this embodiment, the bracket 31a on the base 31 is rectangular and has a ring-shaped holding part 31a1 in the center that holds the outer periphery of the lower end of the camera body 30, and a hole 31a2 that penetrates the thickness of the bracket 31a is provided on the inside of the holding part 31a1. Therefore, the camera body 30 held by the bracket 31a on the base 31 can take pictures of the area below the camera body 30 without being obstructed by the bracket 31a through the hole 31a2 on the inside of the holding part 31a1.

Each leg 31b has a base and a pair of support sides of different lengths that rise from both ends of the base and whose tips are connected to the corners of the bracket 31a, supporting the bracket 31a in a tilted backward position. When the base 31 is placed on a horizontal surface, the camera body 30 is supported in a tilted position so that the area below and in front of the base 31 is included in the shooting range.

Therefore, when the base 31 is placed on the damper D with the lower end of each leg 31b abutting against the cylinder 5 of the damper D, the camera is installed on the damper D so that the area below the camera body 30 and in front of the base 31 is included in the shooting range.

A permanent magnet 31c is embedded in the lower end of each leg 31b, and the base 31 is designed to attract the permanent magnet 31c to the iron cylinder 5 so that the second camera 22 can be installed on the cylinder 5. Since the second camera 22 is configured as described above, the second camera 22 can be easily installed at a location where the serial number displayed on the cylinder 5 can be photographed. The bracket 31a is supported in an inclined position by the leg 31b, and the camera body 30 is designed to include an area below the camera body 30 and in front of the base 31 in the shooting range, so that the serial number can be clearly photographed because it is possible to avoid a situation where the serial number is in the shadow of the second camera 22 itself when photographing the serial number. The structure of the base 31 described above is one example, and the design can be changed as desired as long as the camera body 30 can be installed on the damper D. Therefore, since the base 31 only needs to be detachable from the cylinder 5, it may be installed on the cylinder 5 using an adhesive sheet other than the permanent magnet 31c.

The waiting area 3 is a place for storing the second camera 22 when the inspection device 1 is not performing an inspection, and is provided near the inspection device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the waiting area 3 is provided with a storage frame 32 that stores the lower end of the leg 31b of the base 31. Although not shown in detail, the storage frame 32 is a rectangular frame that surrounds the leg 31b, and a detection device 4 is provided on the inner periphery. In this embodiment, the detection device 4 is a magnetic sensor that detects the permanent magnet 31c provided at the lower end of the leg 31b of the base 31, and detects the presence or absence of the second camera 22 as a device in the waiting area 3 by detecting the magnetism of the permanent magnet 31c in the leg 31b of the base 31 inserted into the storage frame 32.

Specifically, the detection device 4 outputs a high signal to the control panel 13 when the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3, and outputs a low signal to the control panel 13 when the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3. The detection device 4 may output a low signal to the control panel 13 when the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3, and may output a high signal to the control panel 13 when the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3. The detection device 4 may be any sensor or switch that can detect the presence or absence of the base 31 other than a magnetic sensor, and may be, for example, a non-contact switch such as an induction type proximity switch, a capacitance type proximity switch, an ultrasonic type proximity switch, or a photoelectric type proximity switch, or may be a microswitch, limit switch, or the like, as long as it has a movable part and detects the presence or absence of the second camera 22 by contacting the base 31.

In this embodiment, the second camera 22 is equipped with a permanent magnet 31c, and the detection device 4 is a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism. Therefore, by using the permanent magnet 31c, the second camera 22 can be easily installed on the cylinder 5, and the presence or absence of the second camera 22 as a device can be detected, which is advantageous, and the cost of the inspection system S is also low.

And, before the inspection of the damper D by the inspection device 1, that is, before a new inspection of the damper D is performed after the previous inspection is completed, if the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 as a device is present in the waiting area 3 without pressing the inspection start button 13c2, the control panel 13 as a control device determines that the second camera as a device is not being used for the inspection, and displays the first warning display 13c4 in the display area of the inspection start button 13c2 on the display device 13c1 in the operation unit 13c to disable the inspection operator from pressing the inspection start button 13c2. When inspecting the damper D with the inspection device 1, the second camera 22 must be installed on the cylinder 5 so that it can capture the serial number of the damper D. However, if the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3 immediately before the inspection of the damper D is performed, it is in a state where it cannot capture the serial number of the damper D. Therefore, the control panel 13 judges that the inspection operator has forgotten to install the second camera 22, and displays a first warning display 13c4 in the display range of the inspection start button 13c2 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c to disable the inspection operator from pressing the inspection start button 13c2. The first warning display 13c4 masks the entire inspection start button 13c2 and includes a warning message saying "Please install the camera." In this state, the inspection operator cannot press the inspection start button 13c2 and can recognize that the second camera 22 has not been installed. If the inspection operator who has visually recognized the first warning display 13c4 moves the second camera 22 from the waiting place 3, the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 has moved from the waiting place 3, and the control panel 13 receives a signal from the detection device 4 indicating that the second camera 22 is not at the waiting place 3. When the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 as a control device determines that the second camera 22 as a device is being used for inspection, and recognizes that the inspection operator has installed the second camera 22 in a position where it can photograph the serial number of the damper D. In this case, the control panel 13 as a control device performs a control process to display the inspection start button 13c2 instead of the first warning display 13c4 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c, enabling the inspection operator to press the inspection start button 13c2. When the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 waits while displaying the inspection start button 13c2 on the operation unit 13c, and when the inspection operator presses the inspection start button 13c2, the inspection of the damper D is performed by the inspection device 1 as described above.

Next, after a new inspection of the damper D is performed by the inspection device 1, that is, after the inspection start button 13c2 is pressed and the inspection is performed, if the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 as an equipment is not present in the waiting area 3 without pressing the inspection end button 13c3, the control panel 13 displays the second warning display 13c5 in the display area of the inspection end button 13c3 on the display device 13c1 in the operation unit 13c to disable the inspection operator from pressing the inspection end button 13c3. After the inspection of the damper D by the inspection device 1, the second camera 22 must be removed from the damper D and returned to the waiting area 3. However, if the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3 even after the inspection of the damper D is performed, the second camera 22 remains installed on the damper D. Therefore, the control panel 13 judges that the inspection operator has forgotten to return the second camera 22 to the waiting place 3, and the control panel 13 displays the second warning display 13c5 in the display range of the inspection end button 13c3 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c to disable the inspection operator from pressing the inspection end button 13c3. The second warning display 13c5 masks the entire inspection end button 13c3 and includes a warning message saying "Please return the camera to the waiting place." In this state, the inspection operator cannot press the inspection end button 13c3 and can recognize that the second camera 22 has not been returned to the waiting place 3. If the inspection operator who has visually recognized the second warning display 13c5 moves the second camera 22 from the damper D to the waiting place 3, the detection device 4 detects that the second camera 22 has been returned to the waiting place 3, and the control panel 13 receives a signal from the detection device 4 indicating that the second camera 22 is in the waiting place 3. When the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 recognizes that the inspection operator has returned the second camera 22 to the waiting area 3, and performs a control process to display the end inspection button 13c3 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c instead of the second warning display 13c5, allowing the inspection operator to press the end inspection button 13c3. When the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 displays the end inspection button 13c3 on the operation unit 13c and waits for the end inspection button 13c3 to be pressed.

In this manner, in the inspection system S of this embodiment, the detection device 4 detects the presence or absence of the second camera 22 as equipment in the waiting location 3, so there is no need to provide a detection device for detecting the presence or absence of the second camera 22 on the dumper D, which is the specimen to be inspected by the inspection device 1. This means that preparation for the inspection can be done quickly without the trouble of installing the detection device 4 on the specimen every time a new dumper D is inspected. Furthermore, before the inspection is performed, if the second camera 22 is in the waiting location 3, the inspection cannot be performed, and after the inspection is performed, if the second camera 22 is not in the waiting location 3, the inspection end process cannot be performed. Therefore, after the inspection is completed, the second camera 22 is always stored in the waiting location 3, which prevents the second camera 22 from being forgotten to be returned or being lost.

Going back to FIG. 7, the camera control device 23 includes a storage device 23a that stores a program for controlling the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 and for performing processes such as generating image data and providing certification information, an arithmetic processing device 23b such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes the program, a clock 23c that counts time, and an interface 23d for exchanging data between the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 and the control panel 13 and server 7 in the inspection device 1. The camera control device 23 is connected to the control panel 13 and the time synchronization server 8 via the network L so as to be able to communicate with them.

When the inspection start button 13c2 on the operation section 13c of the control panel 13 in the inspection device 1 is pressed by the inspection operator, the arithmetic processing device 23b uses this as a trigger to execute a program that controls the first camera 21 and the second camera 22, and generates and outputs an image capture command that instructs the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 to capture images. The first camera 21 receives an instruction from the camera control device 23 to capture an image of the damper D and the inspection device 1, and the second camera 22 captures an image of the serial number, which is the identification information of the damper D.

The interface 23d exchanges signals between the first camera 21, the second camera 22, the control panel 13, and the time synchronization server 8 and the camera control device 23, and converts information communicated according to a protocol so that information can be exchanged between the camera control device 23 and an externally installed server 7 via the Internet line N, as shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the camera control device 23 in the imaging device 20 is connected to the server 7 via the Internet line N so that it can communicate with the server 7.

As described above, when the inspection operator presses the inspection start button 13c2 on the operation unit 13c, the control panel 13 sends a control command to the camera control device 23 to instruct the camera control device 23 to take pictures. When the camera control device 23 receives the control command, it issues a shooting command to each of the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 to instruct them to take pictures. When the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 receive the input of the shooting command, they each take pictures, generate the image of the damper D and the inspection device 1 as first image data K2, and generate the image of the serial number as second image data K3, and send them to the camera control device 23. On the other hand, the control panel 13 controls the vibrator 10c in the inspection device 1 to vibrate the damper D while collecting the inspection data.

Next, when the inspection of the damper D by the inspection device 1 is completed, the inspection operator presses the inspection end button 13c3 of the operation unit 13c to end the inspection. When the inspection operator presses the inspection end button 13c3 of the operation unit 13c, the control board 13 transmits a control command to the camera control device 23 to instruct the camera control device 23 to execute a process of adding certification information. Then, the camera control device 23 executes a process of displaying the time at the end of the inspection as certification information in the images of the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 from the first camera 21. Specifically, the arithmetic processing device 23b executes a process of reading the time output by the clock 23c, triggered by the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3, and adding this time as certification information to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3. Separately from this, the control board 13 executes a process of generating the inspection report data K1 and adding certification information, triggered by the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3 of the operation unit 13c.

When providing certification information to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3, the camera control device 23 may, instead of or in addition to displaying the time in the image, include the time as part of the file name of the first image data K2 and the second image data K3.

When the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are equipped with a processing unit for processing image data, the processing unit of the first camera 21 may take over the process of adding certification information to the first image data K2 of the camera control device 23, and the processing unit of the second camera 22 may take over the process of adding certification information to the second image data K3 of the camera control device 23. When the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 are made to perform the process of adding certification information, a clock may be provided in the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 to count the time when the certification information is added.

The camera control device 23 obtains time information from a time synchronization server 8 that is installed outside and counts time at a predetermined cycle, and corrects the time of the clock 23c to the time obtained from the time synchronization server 8. In this embodiment, the camera control device 23 synchronizes the time of the clock 23c at the same timing as the control panel 13 in the inspection device 1 synchronizes the time of the clock 13a3 with the time of the time synchronization server 8. In this case, for example, when one of the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 reads the time of the time synchronization server 8, a command may be sent to the other of the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 to read the time of the time synchronization server 8. The control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 may synchronize the time of the clocks 13a3 and 23c with the time of the time synchronization server 8 at different timings. The predetermined cycle is set to one hour as described above, but can be changed to any cycle. As described above, the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 synchronize the time by obtaining time information from the time synchronization server 8, but instead of the time synchronization server 8, they may also synchronize the time by obtaining time information from a radio-controlled clock that receives standard frequency time signal radio waves to keep the time accurate.

The camera control device 23 is communicably connected to the server 7 via the Internet line N, and transmits the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 to which the certification information has been added, to the server 7. The camera control device 23 in the photographing device 20 may be integrated into the control panel 13 so that the control panel 13 can also function as the camera control device 23.

The time synchronization server 8 counts the time and transmits time information to the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 when a request to transmit time information is received from the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23. The time synchronization server 8 may exchange data with the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 via the Internet line N.

As shown in FIG. 9, the server 7 is a computer system that includes a processor 7a, a storage device 7b that stores programs necessary for controlling the server 7 and provides storage space necessary for processing in the processor 7a, an interface 7c that enables communication with the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23, an input device 7d such as a keyboard and mouse, a display device 7e, and a bus 7f that connects these devices so that they can communicate with each other. Each part of the server 7 is controlled by the execution of the program of the processor 7a, and the server 7 exchanges information with the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 in the inspection device 1, and with terminals 41, 42, and 43 described below.

The arithmetic processing device 7a is a CPU or the like that performs arithmetic processing, and controls each part of the server 7 by executing an operating system and other programs. The storage device 7b is equipped with a hard disk in addition to ROM and RAM. The storage device 7b also stores the inspection report data K1 transmitted from the control panel 13, and the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 transmitted from the camera control device 23. The server 7 may also be equipped with an auxiliary storage device consisting of a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or optical disk and a drive capable of reading and writing data from the storage medium, or a semiconductor memory. The interface 7c converts information communicated according to a protocol so that information can be exchanged between the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23. The display device 7e is equipped with a screen that displays data processed by the arithmetic processing device 7a, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The server 7 also stores an operation system program and application programs necessary for functioning as a server in the storage device 7b.

The server 7 exchanges data with the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23. When the server 7 receives image data consisting of the inspection report data K1 transmitted from the control panel 13 and the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 transmitted from the camera control device 23, the server 7 stores the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 in the storage device 7b. At that time, the server 7 stores the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 of the damper D in one folder. The inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 are generated with the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3 on the operation unit 13c as a trigger and are transmitted to the server 7 with little time interval between them, so when the server 7 receives the three data of the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3, it is sufficient to create a folder and store the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 in the created folder. In addition to the inspection report data K1, the server 7 also receives information on the manufacturing number of the damper D from the control panel 13, and when creating a folder, it assigns the manufacturing number of the damper D to the folder name.

When the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 always add a serial number to the file names of the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3, or when the server 7 refers to the file names, extracts the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 of the same damper D, and stores them in one folder. In this case, the information on the serial number read by the control panel 13 can be sent to the camera control device 23 so that the camera control device 23 can also recognize the serial number, so that the file names of the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 can be added with information that allows the server 7 to recognize that the files are for the same damper D.

In addition, if the server 7 has a database in which the serial number is associated with the customer to whom the product is delivered, or if the server 7 can obtain customer information along with the serial number from the control panel 13, it may create a folder in a folder dedicated to the customer that stores the inspection certificate data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3.

In addition, when the server 7 has a database in which the serial number and the inspection agency of the damper D are associated, or when the information on the inspection agency can be obtained from the control panel 13 together with the serial number, in addition to creating a folder for each customer, or instead of this, a folder may be created for each inspection agency that inspects the inspection certificate data K1, and the folders storing the inspection certificate data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 may be sorted and saved in the folders for each inspection agency. In this way, the server 7 may create a folder suitable for the sorting rule of the inspection certificate data K1 according to the rule, and sort and save the folder storing the inspection certificate data K1 in a higher-level folder. Note that if no sorting rule is set for the inspection certificate data K1, the server 7 may simply store the inspection certificate data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 in the storage device 7b.

When the server 7 receives an access request from the manufacturer terminal 41, the customer terminal 42, and the inspection agency terminal 43 via the Internet line N, it requests the input of an ID and password. When the server 7 accepts the input of the ID and password from the terminal, it refers to a database in which the ID and password are associated, and if the combination of the ID and password is correct, it accepts access to and operation of the inspection certificate data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 stored in the server 7 within the scope of the authority registered in the database.

As described above, the inspection system S operates as described above to send the inspection certificate data K1 of the damper D, the first image data K2 obtained by photographing the inspection device 1 together with the damper D, and the second image data K3 obtained by photographing the identification information of the damper D, with certification information added, to the server 7, and store the inspection certificate data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 in the server 7. The inspection certificate data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 stored in the server 7 can be viewed from the manufacturer terminal 41, the customer terminal 42, the auditing agency terminal 43, and any terminal.

The operation of the inspection system S will be described below using the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. The inspection operator of the inspection device 1 prepares the inspection of the damper D, which is a specimen, with the inspection device 1 by placing the damper D, which is a specimen, between the holding part 10b and the vibrator 10c of the inspection device main body 10.

After completing the installation of the damper D on the inspection device 1, the inspection operator reads the two-dimensional code attached to the damper D with the reading device 14, and the information on the damper D read by the reading device 14 is input to the control panel 13 (step F1). Note that the inspection operator of the inspection device 1 may insert the damper D, which is the specimen, between the holding part 10b and the vibrator 10c of the inspection device main body 10 after performing the work of reading the identification information of the damper D with the reading device 14.

When the identification information of the damper D is input, the control panel 13 accesses the database DB and extracts the inspection conditions associated with the identification information (step F2).

When the database DB in which the inspection conditions are recorded is stored in the server 7, the control panel 13 may input identification information and transmit the identification information to the server 7 to request the inspection conditions from the server 7. In this case, the server 7 may refer to the database DB upon input of the identification information, extract the inspection conditions associated with the input identification information based on the input identification information, and transmit the inspection conditions to the control panel 13.

The control panel 13 determines whether the inspection conditions associated with the identification information have been obtained (step F3), and if the inspection conditions have been obtained, sets the parameters required for inspecting the damper D to the parameter values specified by the obtained inspection conditions (step F4).

On the other hand, if the inspection conditions associated with the identification information are not registered in the database DB and the control panel 13 cannot obtain the inspection conditions, it ends the process without inspecting the damper D.

When the control panel 13 as the control device has completed setting the parameters required for inspecting the damper D based on the obtained inspection conditions, it determines whether the second camera 22 as the equipment is in the waiting location 3 based on the signal input from the detection device 4 (step F5). As described above, if the detection device 4 detects the presence of the second camera 22 in the waiting location, the control panel 13 as the control device determines that the second camera 22 is not being used for inspection, and if the detection device 4 does not detect the presence of the second camera 22 in the waiting location, the control panel 13 as the control device determines that the second camera 22 is being used for inspection.

When the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3, the second camera 22 is not being used for the inspection, so the control panel 13 displays the first warning display 13c4 in the display area of the inspection start button 13c2 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c, prevents the inspection operator from pressing the inspection start button 13c2 (step F6), and returns to the processing of step F5.

If the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3, the second camera 22 is being used for the inspection, and the control panel 13 displays the inspection start button 13c2 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c, and waits for an instruction to perform the inspection by the inspection operator pressing the inspection start button 13c2 (step F7). When a signal is input by the inspection operator pressing the inspection start button 13c2, the control panel 13 outputs a control command to the camera control device 23 to generate image data, and the camera control device 23 drives the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 prior to driving the vibrator 10c to capture the subject, the damper D and the inspection device 1, and the identification information of the damper D, and generates the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 as image data (step F8).

Then, the control panel 13 applies vibration to the damper D according to the inspection conditions for the damper D, sequentially imports and stores the data detected by the stroke sensor 11 and the load cell 12, and when the inspection is completed, generates a CSV file as inspection data in which the values of the inspection data are described in fields (step F9). Note that when inspecting the damper D, the control panel 13 also imports the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 15 and 16 and describes them in fields of the CSV file. Also, if the inspection conditions indicate that the vibration pattern should be applied to the damper D multiple times, the inspection device 1 applies vibration to the damper D the specified number of times, and generates a CSV file as inspection data in which the values detected by the stroke sensor 11 and the load cell 12 are described in fields.

After applying a preset number of vibrations to the damper D, the control panel 13 stops the vibrator 10c. After that, the control panel 13 determines whether the second camera 22 (as equipment) is in the waiting area 3 based on the signal input from the detection device 4 (step F10).

If the second camera 22 is not in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 displays the second warning display 13c5 in the display area of the end inspection button 13c3 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c, prevents the inspection operator from pressing the end inspection button 13c3 (step F11), and returns to the processing of step F10.

On the other hand, if the second camera 22 is in the waiting area 3, the control panel 13 displays the end of inspection button 13c3 on the display device 13c1 of the operation unit 13c, and waits for an instruction to end the inspection by the inspection operator pressing the end of inspection button 13c3 (step F12).

In the inspection system S, the signal input by the inspection operator pressing the inspection end button 13c3 on the control panel 13 is used as an instruction to create inspection report data. When the inspection operator presses the inspection end button 13c3, the control panel 13 analyzes the inspection data to generate inspection report data K1 and executes a process to add certification information to the inspection report data K1, and the camera control device 23 executes a process to add time as certification information to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 (step F13).

When the process of step F13 is completed, the control panel 13 transmits the time-stamped inspection report data K1 to the server 7, and the camera control device 23 transmits the time-stamped first image data K2 and second image data K3 to the server 7 (step F14). Then, when the server 7 receives the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3, it creates a folder and stores the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 in the folder (step F15). Note that the processes of the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 are performed separately, so the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 may transmit data to the server 7 without waiting for the completion of the process of stamping the other's time.

The inspection system S of this embodiment is configured as described above and operates as described above. The inspection system S of this embodiment includes an inspection device 1 that inspects a damper (specimen) D, a detection device 4 that detects the presence or absence of a second camera (equipment) 22, which is used to inspect the damper (specimen) D and is stored in the waiting area 3 when not being inspected, in the waiting area 3, and a control panel (control device) 13 that determines whether the second camera (equipment) 22 is being used for inspection based on the detection result of the detection device 4, disables the execution of the inspection when the second camera (equipment) 22 is not being used for inspection, and enables the execution of the inspection when the second camera (equipment) 22 is being used for inspection.

According to the inspection system S configured in this manner, whether the second camera (equipment) 22 used for inspecting the damper (specimen) D is in use for the inspection is determined based on the presence or absence of the second camera (equipment) 22 in the waiting area 3, and the possibility of carrying out the inspection is controlled. Therefore, the inspection operator can recognize that the second camera (equipment) 22 necessary for the inspection has been forgotten to be used because the inspection cannot be carried out, and the inspection operator can be prompted to use the second camera (equipment) 22.

Therefore, the inspection system S of this embodiment can prevent the inspection operator from forgetting to use the equipment used for the inspection.

Furthermore, in the inspection system S of this embodiment, when the detection device 4 detects that the second camera (equipment) 22 is not in the waiting place 3 after the inspection is performed by the inspection device 1, the control panel (control device) 13 disables the end process of the inspection by the inspection device. According to the inspection system S configured in this way, when the detection device 4 detects that the second camera (equipment) 22 is not in the waiting place 3 after the inspection, it is possible to prevent the inspection from being ended without the second camera (equipment) 22 being returned to the waiting place 3, and it is possible to prevent the second camera (equipment) 22 from being forgotten to be returned or being lost. Furthermore, since the second camera (equipment) 22 is returned to the waiting place 3 after the inspection is completed, if the detection device 4 detects that the second camera (equipment) 22 is not in the waiting place 3 at the time of the next inspection, it means that the second camera (equipment) 22 has been taken out of the waiting place 3 for the second camera (equipment) 22 and is being used for the inspection, and no matter how many times the inspection is repeated, it is possible to prevent the inspection from being performed without the second camera (equipment) 22 being used for the inspection.

The inspection system S of this embodiment also has an operation unit 13c that displays an inspection start button 13c2 that accepts operation by the inspection operator, and the control panel (control device) 13 disables the pressing of the inspection start button 13c2 if the detection device 4 detects that there is a second camera (equipment) 22 in the waiting area 3 before the inspection is performed by the inspection device 1. According to the inspection system S configured in this manner, if there is a second camera (equipment) 22 in the waiting area 3 before the inspection is performed by the inspection device 1, the inspection can be prevented from being performed. And, by disabling the pressing of the inspection start button 13c2, the inspection system S of this embodiment can make the inspection operator realize that he or she has forgotten to use the second camera (equipment) 22.

In addition, the inspection system S of this embodiment has an operation unit 13c that displays an operation button that accepts the operation of the inspection operator, and when the detection device 4 detects that the second camera (equipment) 22 is present in the waiting area 3 before the control panel (control device) 13 performs an inspection using the inspection device 1, a process is performed to display a first warning display 13c4 instead of the inspection start button 13c2 displayed on the operation unit 13c, making it impossible to press the inspection start button 13c2. According to the inspection system S configured in this manner, not only can the inspection be prevented from being performed when the second camera (equipment) 22 is not being used for the inspection, but the first warning display 13c4 can also prompt the inspection operator to use the second camera (equipment) 22 for the inspection. Note that the control device may perform a control process to not perform the inspection even if the inspection start button 13c2 is pressed when the second camera (equipment) 22 is not in the waiting area 3, or may not display the inspection start button 13c2.

The inspection system S of this embodiment has an operation unit 13c that displays an inspection end button 13c3 that accepts operation by the inspection operator, and the control panel (control device) 13 disables the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3 if the detection device 4 determines that the second camera (equipment) 22 is not in the waiting area 3 after the inspection is performed by the inspection device 1. According to the inspection system S configured in this manner, the end of the inspection can be prevented if the second camera (equipment) 22 is not in the waiting area 3 after the inspection is performed by the inspection device 1. By disabling the pressing of the inspection end button 13c3, the inspection system S of this embodiment can make the inspection operator realize that he or she has forgotten to store the second camera (equipment) 22 in the waiting area 3.

Furthermore, in the inspection system S of this embodiment, the inspection device 1 has an operation unit 13c that displays an operation button that accepts the operation of the inspection operator, and when the control panel (control device) 13 detects that the detection device 4 does not have the second camera (equipment) 22 at the waiting place 3 after the inspection by the inspection device 1, the control panel (control device) 13 performs a process to display the second warning display 13c5 instead of the inspection end button 13c3 displayed on the operation unit 13c, making it impossible to press the inspection end button 13c3. According to the inspection system S configured in this way, if the second camera (equipment) 22 has not been returned to the waiting place 3 after the inspection, not only can the end process of the inspection be prevented, but the second warning display 13c5 can also prompt the inspection operator to store the second camera (equipment) 22 in the waiting place 3. Note that the control device may perform a control process not to execute the process to end the inspection even if the inspection end button 13c3 is pressed when the second camera (equipment) 22 is not at the waiting place 3, or may not display the inspection end button 13c3.

In the inspection system S of this embodiment, the detection device 4 is installed in the waiting area 3 and serves as a sensor capable of detecting the presence of the second camera (equipment) 22. With the inspection system S configured in this manner, there is no need to provide a detection device for detecting the presence or absence of the second camera (equipment) 22 in the damper D, which is the specimen to be inspected by the inspection device 1, and therefore, preparation for inspection can be carried out quickly without the trouble of installing the detection device 4 on the damper (specimen) D every time a new damper (specimen) D is inspected.

In addition, in the inspection system S of this embodiment, the second camera (equipment) 22 holds a permanent magnet 31c that can be attracted to the damper (specimen) D, and the detection device 4 is a magnetic sensor installed in the waiting area 3. According to the inspection system S configured in this manner, the permanent magnet 31c used to install the second camera (equipment) 22 on the damper (specimen) D is detected by the detection device 4, and the permanent magnet 31c used to install the second camera (equipment) 22 on the damper (specimen) D or the inspection device 1 is detected by the detection device (magnetic sensor) 4. Therefore, not only can the second camera (equipment) 22 be easily installed on the damper (specimen) D or the inspection device 1 using the permanent magnet 31c, but the presence or absence of the second camera (equipment) 22 can also be detected without providing a new permanent magnet corresponding to the detection device (magnetic sensor) 4, and the cost of the inspection system S can be reduced.

The second camera (equipment) 22 may be installed on a component constituting the inspection device 1, other than directly on the damper (specimen) D, as long as it is capable of capturing an image of the manufacturing number of the damper (specimen) D.

The equipment may be any equipment other than the second camera 22 that is used to inspect a specimen. Thus, the equipment may be, for example, an instrument used when installing the damper D in the inspection device 1, or the aforementioned temperature sensors 15, 16 or other sensors. Well, in the inspection system S of this embodiment, the specimen is the damper D and the inspection device 1 is a vibration tester, but the specimen is not limited to the damper D, and the inspection device 1 may be an inspection device other than a vibration tester as long as it is a device that inspects a specimen.

In the inspection system S in this embodiment, the time when the process of adding certification information is performed is added as certification information to each of the inspection report data K1 of the damper (specimen) D, the first image data (image data) K2 and the second image data (image data) K3 in which the damper (specimen) D, the inspection device 1, and the damper (specimen) D are photographed.

Even if there is a time lag in the inspection certificate data K1, first image data K2, and second image data K3 created by the processing of the inspection system S as described above due to errors in the processing order in the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 and in the clocks 13a3 and 23c, the time lag in the certification information assigned to each data is approximately within one minute. In other words, the lag from the earliest to the latest of the time assigned to the inspection certificate data K1, the time assigned to the first image data K2 that photographs the damper D and the inspection device 1, and the time assigned to the second image data K3 that photographs the identification information of the damper D is approximately within one minute.

On the other hand, since the task of attaching and detaching the damper D to the inspection device 1 takes at least several minutes, if the inspection report data K1 performed on a certain damper is paired with the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 photographed on a different damper, there should be a difference of several minutes or more between the time assigned to the inspection report data K1 and the time assigned to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3. In other words, if the difference between the time assigned to the inspection report data K1 and the time assigned to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 is within one minute, the damper D from which the inspection report data K1 was obtained and the damper D photographed in the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 are the same damper D.

Therefore, by checking the time assigned to the inspection report data K1 and the time assigned to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3, the operator of the customer terminal 42 and the inspection agency terminal 43 can easily understand that the damper D from which the inspection report data K1 was obtained and the damper D photographed in the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 are the same damper D.

Then, since it is possible to confirm from the image of the first image data K2 that the damper D is attached to the inspection device 1, and from the image of the second image data K3 to confirm the serial number of the damper D shown in the image of the first image data, the operators of the customer terminal 42 and the inspection agency terminal 43 can know the serial number of the damper D that was attached to the inspection device 1. Therefore, the operators of the customer terminal 42 and the inspection agency terminal 43 can obtain evidence that the inspection report data K1 was obtained by inspecting the damper D that was the subject of inspection, based on the match between the serial number that can be read from the image of the inspection report data K1 and the serial number confirmed in the image of the second image data K3.

In this way, the inspection report data K1 generated by the inspection of the same damper D is associated with the image data K2 and K3 for proving that the same damper D was attached to the inspection device 1 by adding certification information. In addition, the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 take pictures by pressing the inspection start button 13c2 to generate the first image data K2 and the second image data K3, and the inspection end button 13c3 must be pressed to perform the process of adding certification information to the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3. During that time, the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 are not replaced with data generated by the inspection of another damper D. Therefore, it can be proven that the damper D from which the inspection report data K1 was obtained and the damper D photographed in the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 are the same damper D. In other words, it is guaranteed that the inspection report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 were generated for the same damper D.

As described above, according to the inspection system S in this embodiment, by adding certification information to the inspection report data K1 and the image data, the first image data K2 and the second image data K3, it is possible to prove that the damper (specimen) D was attached to the inspection device 1 when the inspection report data K1 was output, and therefore it is possible to guarantee that the inspection report data K1 is the inspection report data K1 obtained for the damper (specimen) D that was actually inspected.

When the certification information is time, the maximum difference in time needs to be shorter than the attachment/detachment time of the damper (specimen) D to/from the inspection device 1 to guarantee that the test report data K1, the first image data K2, and the second image data K3 are data obtained for the same damper (specimen) D. Therefore, the test report data K1 is guaranteed to be data obtained for a damper (specimen) D that was actually inspected by the maximum difference between the time given to the test report data K1 and the time given to the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 being within the aforementioned one minute, but it can also be guaranteed that the test report data K1 is data obtained for a damper (specimen) D that was actually inspected based on any time shorter than the attachment/detachment time.

Although the certification information is the time as described above, it may be a number, a character string, or the like. In other words, the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 may assign the same number or character string to the test report data K1 and the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 as image data in the same set, and assign certification information so that different sets have different numbers or character strings, with the test report data K1 and the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 as image data generated by one test of the damper (specimen) D being treated as a set. The certification information may also be a combination of numbers, symbols, and characters arranged in any order. For example, when assigning numbers, the control panel 13 and the camera control device 23 may advance the numbers sequentially so as not to assign the same number to different sets. Even if the certification information is a number in this way, the certification information is added to the image data K2 and K3 to certify that the same damper D was attached to the inspection device 1 as the inspection report data K1 generated by inspecting the same damper D, so that it can be associated, and it can be proven that the damper D from which the inspection report data K1 was obtained and the damper D photographed in the first image data K2 and the second image data K3 are the same damper D.

As described above, the inspection system S of this embodiment includes an inspection device 1 that inspects a damper (specimen) D under specified inspection conditions, a reading device R that reads identification information that identifies the damper (specimen) D displayed on the damper (specimen) D, and a database DB in which the identification information of the damper (specimen) D and the inspection conditions of the damper (specimen) D are registered in association with each other, and the inspection device 1 reads the inspection conditions associated with the identification information of the damper (specimen) D read by the reading device 14 from the database DB, and inspects the damper (specimen) D based on the read inspection conditions.

In the inspection system S configured in this manner, once the identification information of the damper (specimen) D is read, the inspection conditions are automatically set without human intervention and the inspection of the damper (specimen) D is performed, so that the inspection of the damper (specimen) D can be performed without the risk of the inspection conditions being changed artificially.

Therefore, according to the inspection system S of this embodiment, if the correct inspection conditions are input in advance to the database DB, the inspection operator does not need to input the inspection conditions into the inspection device 1 each time the damper (specimen) D is inspected, so that the inspection can be performed while preventing human error in the inspection of the damper (specimen) D used for seismic isolation or vibration control. As described above, the inspection system S may be configured so that the inspection operator sets the inspection conditions in the inspection device 1 to inspect the damper (specimen) D.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, modifications, variations, and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

1: Inspection device, 3: Waiting area, 4: Detection device, 13: Control panel (control device), 13c: Operation unit, 13c2: Inspection start button, 13c3: Inspection end button, 13c4: First warning display, 13c5: Second warning display, 22: Second camera (equipment), 31c: Permanent magnet, D: Damper (specimen), S: Inspection system

Claims (5)

A testing device for testing a sample;
A detection device that detects the presence or absence of a device that is used for testing the sample and is stored in the waiting area when not being tested, in the waiting area;
and a control device that determines whether or not the equipment is being used for an inspection based on a detection result of the detection device, and disables execution of the inspection if the equipment is not being used for an inspection, and enables execution of the inspection if the equipment is being used for an inspection. The inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device disables an end process of the inspection by the inspection device when the device is not present at the waiting location after the inspection is performed by the inspection device. an operation unit that displays an inspection start button for accepting an operation by an inspection operator;
3. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the control device disables pressing of the inspection start button when the device is present in the waiting area before the inspection is performed by the inspection device. an operation unit that displays an inspection end button for accepting an operation by an inspection operator;
The inspection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device disables the pressing of the inspection end button when the device is not present in the waiting area of the detection device after the inspection is performed by the inspection device. The device holds a permanent magnet that can be attracted to the specimen or the testing device,
The inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device is a magnetic sensor that is installed in the waiting area and is capable of detecting the permanent magnet.