Interactive Systems for Providing Work Details for a User in Oil and Gas Operations

Abstract

A knowledge system is provided that is operable for producing how-to segments of information for use with a maintenance system, an equipment and asset tracking system, and a job function competency system to utilize a plurality of types of display devices for maintaining a plurality of types of industrial assets located at a plurality of locations. In one embodiment, a low energy communicator is mounted to said each of said plurality of industrial equipment assets and operable for providing more precise location information of a selected industrial equipment asset.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to guide industrial maintenance of industrial equipment assets for a user in oil and gas operations, comprising:
 at least one computer comprising an industrial knowledge system, said industrial knowledge system comprising a plurality of how-to segments to perform respective job procedures for maintaining each of said industrial equipment assets, said industrial knowledge system being operable for delivering said how-to segments for viewing by said user on a selectable display device at a plurality of locations, said how-to segments comprising step-by-step instructions comprising photos, videos, and documentation for a selected industrial equipment asset;   a maintenance tracking and scheduling system for said industrial knowledge system operable for delivering maintenance schedules and asset maintenance status for viewing by said user on said selectable display device at said plurality of locations;   a regulations and standards system for said industrial knowledge system operable for delivering said regulations and standards for viewing by said user on said selectable display device at said plurality of locations, said how-to segments of information incorporating respective of said regulations and standards; and   an asset tracking system for said industrial knowledge system operable for delivering at least general location information for said selected industrial equipment asset for viewing by said user on said selectable display device at said plurality of locations.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a training delivery and records system for said industrial knowledge system being operable to deliver training records for viewing by said user on said selectable display device at said plurality of locations. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a job function competency system for said industrial knowledge system comprising industry or company defined requirements for said job function for said selected industrial equipment asset, said job function competency system being operable for rating a competency level of said user for a selected job function. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one low energy transmitter mounted to said selected industrial equipment asset, said at least one low energy transmitter being operable for providing more precise location information than said general location of said selected industrial equipment asset;   an intrinsically safe HUD (heads up display) to be worn by said user to guide industrial maintenance on said selected industrial equipment asset, said HUD being operable to receive said more precise location information from said low energy transmitter.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said industrial knowledge system is selectively operable to adjust said step-by-step instructions to said competency level of said user. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , said industrial knowledge system being operable for sending at least one of photos or videos that superimpose indicators of underlying components of said selected industrial equipment asset on a screen of said HUD to guide said operator in maintaining said selected industrial equipment asset, and wherein said indicators change in response to said step by step instructions being completed. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an automated job ticket generation mechanism which generates a ticket for maintaining a particular asset and sends a predetermined how-to segment of information for said particular asset. 
     
     
         8 . A system to guide industrial maintenance of a plurality of industrial equipment assets for a user in oil and gas operations, comprising:
 at least one computer comprising an industrial knowledge system, said industrial knowledge system comprising a teaching module operable to deliver how-to segments of information comprising visual and written procedures for servicing each of said plurality of industrial equipment assets, an asset tracking module comprising at least a general location for each of said plurality of industrial equipment assets, and a maintenance system with maintenance scheduling requirements for each of said plurality industrial equipment assets;   at least one low energy transmitter operable to originate a beacon signal to guide said user to a more precise location information than said general location for a particular industrial equipment asset, said at least one low energy transmitter being configured for sending status information for said particular industrial equipment asset; and   a plurality of display devices at a plurality of locations selectively connectable to said industrial knowledge system to receive said how-to segments of information, at least one of said plurality of said display devices being operable for detecting said low energy transmitter and guiding an operator to said more precise location of said particular industrial equipment asset.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising said at least one low energy transmitter being configured for transmitting contextual information comprising at least one of a proximity threshold crossed by said user, a loud area, an unauthorized access region, or a dangerous asset. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a data server connected to said industrial knowledge system and also being connected to said particular industrial equipment assets, said data server being operable for updating status information for said industrial equipment assets. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a job function competency module operable to show whether a particular operator has a competency level to service said particular industrial equipment asset. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a heads up display operatively connected to said teaching module and wherein said particular operator can selectively connect to a second operator with a heads up display for additional support for said particular industrial equipment asset. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said job function competency module is operable to show whether said particular operator has a competency level to service said particular industrial equipment asset with said additional support. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said job function competency module cooperates with said teaching module to adjust said how-to segments of information based on a competency level of a selected operator. 
     
     
         15 . A system to guide industrial maintenance of industrial equipment assets by assisting an operator, comprising:
 at least one computer comprising system software and being operable for communication through said computer with a plurality of display devices comprising laptops, tablets, heads up displays (HUD) and computer workstations at a plurality of different locations, said system software comprising a teaching module operable to deliver how-to segments of information comprising visual and written procedures for servicing each of said industrial equipment assets, said system software being configured to determine and store a competency level for said operator of said industrial equipment asset;   at least one low energy near field communicator mounted to a particular industrial equipment asset operable to originate a signal comprising identification and status information of said particular industrial equipment asset; and   an intrinsically safe heads up display (HUD) operable to be worn by said operator, said HUD being operable to receive said identification and status information from said low energy near field communicator, said HUD being operable to display how-to segments of information of industrial maintenance requirements for said particular industrial equipment asset at a location of said particular industrial equipment asset.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising;
 said system software being selectively operable for providing that said how-to segments are adjusted to said competency level of said operator, said how-to segments comprising photos, videos, and documentation.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said system software is operable for providing a superimposed indicator of an underlying component requiring maintenance in said particular industrial equipment asset for display by said HUD to guide said operator in maintaining said particular industrial equipment asset. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said superimposed indicator is aligned with said underlying component requiring maintenance in said particular industrial equipment asset when viewed by said operator. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said superimposed indicator changes after said underlying component is serviced. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a hard hat operable for use in industrial areas comprising an intrinsically safe compartment, an extended life battery pack for use with said HUD being mounted in said intrinsically safe compartment.