Information management method, information management device, information management system, and program

Abstract

To reflect an actual work state in a field with respect to information on a management object with high accuracy, when managing information on agriculture.SOLUTION: An information management method includes: determining a work period during which a work device performs work, on the basis of altitude information indicating the altitude of a movable part having different altitudes during work and non-work in a field in a work device; and outputting output information on the determined work period. The information management method may further include: determining work position information indicating the position in the work period, among the plurality of pieces of position information each indicating a geographical position of the work device, on the basis of the determined work period; and determining a work region where the work device has performed work, on the basis of the determined work position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information management method, an information management device, an information management system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art With the increasing informatization of agriculture, techniques have been developed for managing information relating to implements working in a field and providing the information to users.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining a working area based on operation information indicating the position of a working implement working in a farm field. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the position of the working implement when it is moving at a predetermined speed range is regarded as the position of the working implement, and the area including this position is determined as the working area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-143609 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In general, the vehicle speed of a working implement in a field varies depending on the operator's habits and the working conditions. Therefore, if it is determined whether the working implement is working based on whether the vehicle speed is within a predetermined range, as in the technology of Patent Document 1, information about the working area generated based on this may deviate from the actual working conditions in the field. Thus, when agricultural information is generated or updated using conventional technology, there is a risk that the accuracy of the target information in reflecting the actual working conditions may be reduced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to, when managing agricultural information, reflect the actual work situation in a farm field with high accuracy in the information to be managed. Other objects can be understood with reference to the embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means for solving the problems will be described below using the numbers and symbols used in the description of the embodiment of the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference purposes to show an example of the correspondence between the description of the claims and the description of the embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the description in parentheses should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0008] An information management method according to an embodiment for solving the above problem includes determining a work period during which the work implement (30) performed work based on altitude information indicating the altitude of a movable part (DP) of the work implement (30) which differs between when working and when not working in a field (F), and outputting output information relating to the determined work period.

[0009] The information management device (10) of an embodiment for solving the above problem includes a work period determination unit (120) that determines a work period during which the work implement (30) performed work, based on altitude information indicating the altitude of a movable part (DP) of the work implement (30) that differs between when working in a field and when not working, and an information output unit (140) that outputs output information related to the determined work period.

[0010] An information management system (1) according to an embodiment for solving the above problem is an information management system (1) including a working device (30) and a work management device (10), in which the working device includes a movable part (DP) whose altitude differs between when working in a field and when not working, a positioning unit (410) that determines the altitude of the movable part (DP), and a first output unit (420) that outputs altitude information indicating the determined altitude of the movable part, and the work management device (10) includes an information acquisition unit (110) that acquires the altitude information output by the first output unit (420), a work period determination unit (120) that determines a work period during which the working device (30) performed work based on the altitude information acquired by the information acquisition unit (110), and a second output unit (140) that outputs output information relating to the determined work period.

[0011] A program (P1) according to an embodiment for solving the above problem causes a computer to determine a work period during which the working implement (30) performed work, based on altitude information indicating the altitude of a movable part (DP) of the working implement (30) that differs between when working in a field (F) and when not working, and to output output information relating to the determined work period. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the above embodiment, when managing agricultural information, the actual work situation in the field can be reflected in the managed information with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an information management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external appearance of a working device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5]2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a maintenance device and a communication terminal device according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information management system according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by an information management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a process executed by an information management system according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (Embodiment 1) An information management system according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the information management system 1 includes a server device 10, one or more user terminals 20, and a communication terminal device 40 mounted on one or more work devices 30. The server device 10, the one or more user terminals 20, and the one or more communication terminal devices 40 can communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT is, for example, the Internet. The one or more work devices 30 each move within a farm field F to perform farm work. As will be described later, the communication terminal device 40 mounted on the work device 30 can receive a positioning signal from a positioning satellite GP. The positioning satellite GP is, for example, an artificial satellite that outputs a positioning signal and constitutes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

[0015] Examples of the working device 30 include agricultural machines such as a seedling planter, a combine harvester, and a rice planter. The working device 30 may include a working machine (e.g., a rotary or a mower) including a movable part DP, and a vehicle (e.g., a tractor) capable of towing the working machine. For example, the working device 30 includes a movable part DP whose relative position from a reference position in the vehicle body (e.g., the geometric center, center of gravity, etc. of the working device 30) differs between working and non-working. The movable part DP is held at a non-working position that is a first altitude as viewed from the ground surface of the field F when not working. The movable part DP moves to a working position that is a second altitude different from the first altitude as viewed from the ground surface of the field F at the start of work, and returns to the non-working position after work is completed. The non-working position and the working position are relative positions from the reference position of the working device 30 described above. Hereinafter, the state in which the movable part DP is in the non-working position and the working implement 30 is not working in the field F may be referred to as the non-working state, and the state in which the movable part DP is in the working position and the working implement 30 is working in the field F may be referred to as the working state.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the movable part DP may include a part that moves slightly in the in-plane direction of the ground surface of the field F during work in the field F, and a placement part IP that moves in the in-plane direction less than other parts. In the example of FIG. 2, the direction away from the ground along a perpendicular line CL defined perpendicular to the ground surface of the field F is defined as the upward direction. For example, when the working device 30 is a seedling planting machine, the placement part IP may be a protective part that protects the working part of the movable part DP that operates for seedling planting. In the placement part IP, an antenna PS capable of receiving a positioning signal from a positioning satellite GP is installed at a predetermined position on a virtual line (also called a vehicle body center line) that extends along the direction in which the body of the working device 30 moves straight and passes through the center of the body. The antenna PS is, for example, a part of the communication terminal device 40, and is connected to the main body of the communication terminal device 40 by a communication cable L so as to be able to communicate with it. Since the movable part DP including the placement part IP moves up and down at the start and end of work, the altitude of the antenna PS changes at the start and end of work.

[0017] In this embodiment, in order to avoid blocking the positioning signal from the positioning satellite GP above, a predetermined position for installing the antenna PS is selected on the top surface of the installation part IP such that there are no obstacles (e.g., other structures of the work device 30) further above (or there are fewer obstacles than at other positions of the installation part IP).

[0018] The information management system 1 of this embodiment determines the altitude of the antenna PS (e.g., altitude measured by GNSS) as the altitude of the movable part DP based on the positioning signal received by the antenna PS. The information management system 1 then determines the period during which the working device 30 is in a working state (also called a working period) based on the change in altitude of the movable part DP when moving from a non-working position to a working position or vice versa. The information management system 1 generates or updates agricultural information (e.g., field information D1 in FIG. 6 indicating the area in the field F where the working device 30 worked) based on the determined working period. Therefore, the information management system 1 can manage information reflecting the actual working situation in the field F even if the vehicle speed of the working device 30 varies during work due to the driver's habits or the situation of the field F at the time of work.

[0019] The configuration of the information management system 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the server device 10 included in the information management system 1 includes an input / output device 12, a calculation device 14, a communication device 16, and a storage device 18. The server device 10 is, for example, a computer having a server function. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be a virtual server realized on a cloud.

[0020] Information for the arithmetic device 14 to execute processing, such as information indicating settings of thresholds and the like described below, is input to the input / output device 12. The input / output device 12 may also output a result of processing executed by the arithmetic device 14. The input / output device 12 includes various input devices and output devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, a speaker, a touch panel, and the like. The input / output device 12 may be omitted.

[0021] The communication device 16 is communicatively connected to the network NT and communicates with devices external to the server device 10 (e.g., the user terminal 20 and the communication terminal device 40) via the network NT. The communication device 16 transfers information acquired from the user terminal 20 and the communication terminal device 40 to the calculation device 14. The communication device 16 may also transfer information generated by the calculation device 14 to the user terminal 20 and the communication terminal device 40. The communication device 16 includes various interface devices having data communication functions, such as a Network Interface Card (NIC) and a Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0022] The storage device 18 stores a program P1 and the like including various data and instructions for the server device 10 of this embodiment to execute the processes described below. The storage device 18 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing these data and instructions. The program P1 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M1. Alternatively, the storage medium M1 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P1. In this case, the program P1 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0023] The arithmetic device 14 reads and executes a program P1 including instructions and data for executing at least a part of the processes described below from the storage device 18. The arithmetic device 14 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU; Central Processing Unit).

[0024] 4, the user terminal 20 included in the information management system 1 includes an input / output device 22, a computing device 24, a communication device 26, and a storage device 28. The user terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile device such as a tablet or a smartphone. The user terminal 20 may be a stationary personal computer or a notebook computer.

[0025] Information for the arithmetic device 24 to execute processing is input to the input / output device 22. In addition, the input / output device 22 outputs a result of the processing executed by the arithmetic device 24. The input / output device 22 includes various input devices and output devices, such as a speaker and a touch panel. In addition, in the case where the user terminal 20 is a personal computer, the input / output device 22 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, and the like.

[0026] The communication device 26 is communicatively connected to the network NT and communicates with devices external to the user terminal 20 (e.g., the server device 10) via the network NT. The communication device 26 transfers information acquired from the server device 10 to the calculation device 24. The communication device 26 also transfers information generated by the calculation device 24 to the server device 10. The communication device 26 includes various interface devices having communication functions, such as a transceiver used for wireless communication in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a cellular network.

[0027] The storage device 28 stores a program P2 and the like including various data and instructions for the information management system 1 of this embodiment to execute the processes described below. The storage device 28 is used as a non-transitory storage medium for storing these data and instructions. The program P2 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M2. Alternatively, the storage medium M2 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P2. In this case, the program P2 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0028] The arithmetic unit 24 reads and executes a program P2, which includes instructions and data for executing at least a part of the processes described below, from the storage device 28. For example, the arithmetic unit 24 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the working device 30 includes a control device 32, a driving device 34, and a communication terminal device 40. The driving device 34 includes a power mechanism capable of generating power, such as an engine or a motor, a transmission mechanism that transmits the generated power to the movable part DP, and the above-mentioned movable part DP. For example, when starting work in the field F, the driving device 34 moves the position of the movable part DP from a non-working position to a working position by the power of the power mechanism. Furthermore, when ending work in the field F, the driving device 34 moves the position of the movable part DP from the working position to the non-working position. Furthermore, the driving device 34 may realize work in the field F (for example, seedling planting work) by generating power required for work in the field F in the power mechanism and transmitting this power to the movable part DP.

[0030] The control device 32 includes, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and an input device (for example, a start switch, a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a clutch lever, a shift lever, a switch, a touch panel, etc.) that accepts operation input from a user riding on the working device 30. The control device 32 realizes work in the field F by the working device 30 by controlling the drive device 34 based on the operation input accepted by the input device. When the working device 30 transitions from a key-off state in which the engine is stopped to a key-on state in which the power source (for example, an engine or an electric motor) is running, the control device 32 transmits a key-on signal indicating that the key-on state has been entered to the communication terminal device 40. In addition, when the working device 30 transitions from the key-on state to the key-off state, the control device 32 transmits a key-off signal indicating that the key-off state has been entered to the communication terminal device 40.

[0031] The communication terminal device 40 is, for example, a computer having a communication function that is fixed inside the operation device 30. The communication terminal device 40 includes an input / output device 42, a calculation device 44, a communication device 46, a storage device 48, and a positioning device 49.

[0032] Information for executing processing by the arithmetic unit 44 is input to the input / output device 42. For example, the input / output device 42 includes an input terminal communicably connected to the control device 32 of the working device 30, and acquires a key-on signal and a key-off signal output by the control device 32.

[0033] The positioning device 49 measures the position of the antenna PS installed on the movable part DP of the working device 30. The positioning device 49 includes, for example, an antenna PS capable of receiving a positioning signal from a GNSS positioning satellite GP, and a calculation device capable of measuring the position of the antenna PS based on the positioning signal received by the antenna PS. The positioning device 49 determines the position of the antenna PS on the geodetic system, including the altitude and longitude and latitude of the antenna PS, based on the positioning signal received by the antenna PS, for example.

[0034] The communication device 46 is communicatively connected to the network NT and communicates with devices external to the maintenance device 30 (e.g., the server device 10) via the network NT. The communication device 46 transfers information acquired from the server device 10 to the calculation device 44. The communication device 46 also transfers information generated by the calculation device 44 to the server device 10. The communication device 46 includes various interface devices having wireless communication functions, such as a transceiver for a cellular network or a wireless LAN.

[0035] The storage device 48 stores a program P3 including various data and instructions for the information management system 1 of this embodiment to execute the processes described below. The storage device 48 is used as a non-transitory storage medium for storing these data and instructions. The program P3 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M3. Alternatively, the storage medium M3 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P3. In this case, the program P3 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0036] The arithmetic unit 44 reads and executes a program P3, which includes instructions and data for executing at least a part of the processes described below, from the storage device 48. For example, the arithmetic unit 44 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like.

[0037] Next, functions of the information management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The communication terminal device 40 of the information management system 1 realizes the functions of a positioning unit 410 and an output unit 420 by the arithmetic device 44 of Fig. 3 executing a program P3.

[0038] As described below, while the working device 30 is in the key-on state, the positioning unit 410 of the communication terminal device 40 generates positioning information on the position of the working device 30 based on the positioning signal received by the antenna PS at a period and timing (e.g., every 10 seconds) determined by the settings. As an example, the positioning unit 410 generates positioning information including altitude information indicating the altitude of the movable part DP (e.g., the altitude of the antenna PS), position information indicating the position of the working device 30 on the earth's surface (e.g., the longitude and latitude of the antenna PS), and time information indicating the time at which the position was determined.

[0039] 5, the output unit 420 of the communication terminal device 40 outputs the positioning information generated by the positioning unit 410 to the server device 10. In this embodiment, the output unit 420 outputs a plurality of pieces of positioning information acquired by the positioning unit 410 while the control device 32 of the maintenance device 30 is in a key-on state to the server device 10 collectively when the maintenance device 30 transitions to a key-off state.

[0040] Returning to Fig. 6, the server device 10 of the information management system 1 realizes the functions of an information acquisition unit 110, a work period determination unit 120, an information management unit 130, an information output unit 140, and an information storage unit 160 by causing the calculation device 14 in Fig. 3 to execute the program P1. The information storage unit 160 pre-stores farm field information D1, which will be described later.

[0041] As an example, the field information D1 stores latitude and longitude information indicating the geographical range of one or more fields F in association with a unique identifier for each of the fields F. In this embodiment, the field information D1 includes map information indicating each field F and a map of the surrounding area (e.g., for each field F, a map image of the geographical area including the field F). For example, if the field F is polygonal in shape, the field information D1 includes coordinate information indicating the latitude and longitude of the vertices of the polygon of the field F. The field information D1 may also include information indicating the geographical range of the area worked on (also referred to as the work area) on each of one or more days (also referred to as the work days) on which work was performed in one or more fields F. Information indicating the geographical extent of the working area of ​​the field F may be newly generated or updated using information indicating the geographical extent of the working area of ​​the field F in which the working device 30 performed work, based on position information (also referred to as work position information) indicating the location of the working device 30 when it was in the working period, using a process described below.

[0042] The information acquisition unit 110 of the server device 10 acquires information required for processing, which will be described later, from the information storage unit 160. In addition, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires, for example, positioning information output by the communication terminal device 40. The information acquisition unit 110 may provide the acquired information to the work period determination unit 120, the information management unit 130, the information output unit 140, and the information storage unit 160.

[0043] As described below, the work period determination unit 120 determines, based on the altitude information and time information included in the positioning information, a work period in which the working device 30 is in a working state and a non-work period in which the working device 30 is in a non-working state during the startup period in which the working device 30 is in a key-on state.

[0044] The information management unit 130 newly generates or updates the field information D1 based on the work periods and non-work periods determined by the work period determination unit 120. In this way, the information management unit 130 manages information related to the work periods, including the field information D1.

[0045] The information output unit 140 outputs output information relating to the work period and the non-work period (for example, the farm field information D1). For example, the information output unit 140 outputs the output information to the user terminal 20 via the network NT through the communication device 16.

[0046] The user terminal 20 realizes the functions of the display unit 210 shown in FIG. 6 by the arithmetic device 24 in FIG. 4 executing the program P2.

[0047] As described below, the display unit 210 displays the output information output by the server device 10 in a manner that is recognizable to the user. For example, the display unit 210 displays on a map the work area of ​​the field F where the work device 30 has worked, which is indicated by the field information D1 included in the output information output by the server device 10.

[0048] The following describes the processing executed by the information management system 1. The communication terminal device 40 of the information management system 1 starts the processing shown in Fig. 7 in response to the control device 32 outputting a key-on signal indicating that the working device 30 has transitioned from a key-off state to a key-on state and the input / output device 42 of the communication terminal device 40 receiving this key-on signal.

[0049] 7, the positioning unit 410 of the communication terminal device 40 generates positioning information including altitude information indicating the altitude of the movable part DP. For example, the positioning unit 410 acquires a positioning signal received by the antenna PS at a period (e.g., every 10 seconds) determined by settings. Then, the positioning unit 410 generates positioning information including altitude information indicating the altitude of the movable part DP, position information indicating the geographical position of the working device 30, and time information indicating the time at which the positioning was performed, based on the positioning signal. The multiple pieces of positioning information periodically generated by the positioning unit 410 may be temporarily stored in the storage device 48 until they are output in the next step S1002.

[0050] Next, in step S1002, the output unit 420 of the communication terminal device 40 outputs the positioning information. As an example, in response to the control device 32 outputting a key-off signal indicating that the working apparatus 30 has transitioned from a key-on state to a key-off state and the input / output device 42 of the communication terminal device 40 receiving the key-off signal, the output unit 420 outputs to the server device 10 the plurality of pieces of positioning information generated by the positioning unit 410 in step S1001.

[0051] Next, in step S1003, the information acquisition unit 110 of the server device 10 acquires positioning information including altitude information indicating the altitude of the movable part DP. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the positioning information output by the communication terminal device 40 in step S1002 using the communication device 46.

[0052] The altitude information among the positioning information acquired in step S1003 indicates, for example, the altitude (e.g., altitude) of the movable part DP of the working device 30 performing work on the field F, as shown in FIG. 8. The ground of the field F is generally flat, and it is estimated that the altitude of the movable part DP does not change rapidly while the driving device 34 of the working device 30 does not move the movable part DP up and down. In the example of the graph of the altitude axis and the time axis in FIG. 8, since the ground of the field F is flat and horizontal, the altitude of the movable part DP maintains the altitude h1 corresponding to the non-working position during the non-working period T1. When transitioning from the non-working period T1 to the working period T2, the driving device 34 of the working device 30 moves the movable part DP from the non-working position to the working position at the altitude h2 that is closer to the ground of the field F (in other words, the altitude is lower). Accordingly, the altitude of the movable part DP also changes from the altitude h1 to h2. In the example of FIG. 8, the period until the movable part DP finishes moving to the working position is defined as the non-working period T1.

[0053] During the working period T2, the working device 30 moves over the field F in a working state with the movable part DP at a working position at altitude h2, while performing work in the field F (e.g., planting seedlings). When moving from the working period T2 to the non-working period T3, the drive device 34 of the working device 30 moves the movable part DP from the working position back to the non-working position at altitude h1. Accordingly, the altitude of the movable part DP also changes from altitude h2 to altitude h1. In the example of FIG. 8, the period until the movable part DP finishes moving to the non-working position is defined as the working period T2.

[0054] Next, in step S1004 of Fig. 7, the work period determination unit 120 calculates the difference in altitude of the movable part DP indicated by the altitude information. The difference in altitude of the movable part DP indicates, for example, the difference between the altitude of the movable part DP measured at a certain time and the altitude of the movable part DP measured after a predetermined period has elapsed. For example, the work period determination unit 120 calculates the difference between the altitude of the movable part DP indicated by the altitude information included in the multiple pieces of positioning information acquired in step S1003 and the altitude of the immediately preceding positioning information based on the positioning time included in the positioning information.

[0055] The altitude difference calculated in step S1004 remains approximately at 0 during the non-working period T1, as shown in the graph of the Δ altitude axis and the time axis in FIG. 8, and takes a negative value smaller than the negative threshold value (-th in the example of FIG. 8, where th is a positive real number) determined by the settings during the transition period of the non-working period T1 to the working period T2. This negative value is determined according to the speed at which the driving device 34 of the working device 30 moves the movable part DP from the non-working position to the working position. Thereafter, the altitude difference remains approximately at 0 during the working period T2, and takes a positive value larger than the positive threshold value (+th in the example of FIG. 8) determined by the settings during the transition period of the working period T2 to the non-working period T3. This positive value is determined according to the speed at which the driving device 34 of the working device 30 moves the movable part DP from the working position to the non-working position.

[0056] Next, in step S1006 of FIG. 7, the work period determination unit 120 determines a work period based on the difference in altitude calculated in step S1004. For example, the work period determination unit 120 determines a period (also called a negative fluctuation period) during which the work device 30 is in a key-on state, including the time information of the multiple positioning information acquired in step S1003, during which the calculated difference in altitude is smaller than a negative threshold. The work period determination unit 120 determines the end time of the determined negative fluctuation period as the start time of the work period T2. The work period determination unit 120 also determines a period (also called a positive fluctuation period) during which the difference in altitude is larger than a positive threshold. The work period determination unit 120 determines the end time of the positive fluctuation period as the end time of the work period T2. Then, the work period determination unit 120 determines the period between the determined start time and end time as the work period T2. Furthermore, the work period determination unit 120 may determine the periods during which the working device 30 is in the key-on state that are not the work period T2 as the non-work period T1 and the non-work period T3.

[0057] In general, the result of altitude measurement by GNSS measurement may include a larger error than the latitude and longitude measurement by GNSS measurement. Therefore, the altitude of the movable part DP indicated by the altitude information in the positioning information may differ from the actual altitude of the movable part DP. In this embodiment, the work period is determined based on the difference in altitude, not the altitude itself indicated by the altitude information, so that the influence of the error of the altitude measurement on the result of the determination can be reduced. Furthermore, by determining the work period based on the difference in altitude, even if the ground of the field F is inclined, the influence of continuous altitude changes due to the inclination can be reduced.

[0058] Next, in step S1008 of Fig. 7, the information management unit 130 updates the field information D1 based on the position information of the working tool 30. For example, the information management unit 130 extracts a plurality of pieces of position information (also referred to as work position information) of the positioning information acquired in step S1003, the positioning time of which is included in the work period T2 determined in step S1006. Then, based on the extracted work position information, the information management unit 130 determines the work area in which the working tool 30 worked on the day when the positioning information acquired in step S1003 was acquired. For example, the information management unit 130 determines, as the work area, a convex hull that includes the positions indicated by the extracted plurality of pieces of work position information, and generates area information indicating this work area (for example, information indicating the geographical latitude and longitude of the vertices of the convex hull). Then, for example, the information management unit 130 may update the field information D1 by adding area information indicating the generated work area to information on the field F that was worked on that day, which is included in the field information D1.

[0059] 7, the information output unit 140 outputs the field information D1. For example, the information output unit 140 outputs, as output information related to the work period T2 determined in step S1006, the field information D1 including area information of the field F generated based on the position information included in the positioning information obtained during the work period T2 to the user terminal 20.

[0060] 7, the display unit 210 of the user terminal 20 displays the field information D1 output in step S1010. For example, the display unit 210 may use a display device of the input / output device 22 of the user terminal 20 to visibly display information indicating the work area of ​​field F, such as by discoloring a corresponding area of ​​a map image of field F included in the field information D1.

[0061] When step S1012 is completed, the process in FIG. 7 ends.

[0062] As described above, the information management system 1 of this embodiment determines the altitude of the movable part DP based on the positioning signal received by the antenna PS provided on the movable part DP. The information management system 1 then determines the work period of the working implement 30 based on the change in altitude of the movable part DP. The information management system 1 then manages the target information (e.g., field information D1) based on the determined work period. Therefore, the information management system 1 can manage information that reflects the actual work situation in the field F even if the vehicle speed of the working implement 30 varies during work due to the driver's habits or the situation of the field F at the time of work.

[0063] (Modification) The configurations described in the embodiments are merely examples, and the configurations can be changed without impairing the functions.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the information management system 1 includes the server device 10, the user terminal 20, and the communication terminal device 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information management system 1 may include more devices than those in the above example, or may be configured with fewer devices. For example, the work period determination unit 120 and the information management unit 130 of the server device 10 may be included in different server devices. As an example, if the first server device has a function corresponding to the work period determination unit 120 and the second server device has a function corresponding to the information management unit 130, the first server device may transmit information related to the determined work period to the second server device, and the second server device may manage the field information D1 using the function corresponding to the information management unit 130. Alternatively, the information management system 1 may not include the user terminal 20. In this case, in step S1010 of FIG. 7, the information output unit 140 may display the field information D1 on the display of the input / output device 12 of the server device 10, thereby outputting the output information to the outside. Also, in step S1010 of FIG. 7, the information output unit 140 may output the output information to the outside by storing the output information in a non-transitory storage medium capable of storing the output information (for example, a USB memory or cloud storage provided by an external server). Furthermore, the information output unit 140 may output the output information to an external terminal device not included in the information management system 1. If the external terminal device that receives the output information has a display device such as a display, the external terminal device may display the output information using the display device. Also, the information management system 1 may include not only the communication terminal device 40 but also the entire operation device 30.

[0065] Also, the physical configuration of the information management system 1 may be different from that of the above embodiment. For example, the antenna PS may be provided at a position of the movable part DP that is different from the vehicle body center line of the installation part IP (for example, an end part of the installation part IP). Furthermore, the antenna PS may be provided at a part of the movable part DP that is different from the installation part IP and that moves slightly in the in-plane direction during work.

[0066] Furthermore, the process executed by the information management system 1 may be different from the process in Fig. 7. As an example, if there is an external server (e.g., a server device managed by the manufacturer of the maintenance device 30) that manages the positioning information of the maintenance device 30, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the positioning information from the external server in step S1003 in Fig. 7. In this way, if the positioning information can be acquired from a source other than the communication terminal device 40, the information management system 1 does not need to include the communication terminal device 40.

[0067] Also, in step S1003 of FIG. 7, the altitude information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 does not have to be information indicating the altitude measured by GNSS. For example, the information management system 1 may measure the altitude of the movable part DP by a method other than GNSS measurement. As an example, a distance sensor using laser light may be mounted on the lower part of the installation part IP of the movable part DP. In this configuration, the distance between the ground surface of the field F and the installation part IP measured using this distance sensor may be used as the altitude of the movable part DP. In such a modified example, a positioning sensor (e.g., an antenna PS) indicating the geographical position of the working device 30 and a distance sensor for measuring the altitude may be provided separately. In this case, in step S1002 of FIG. 7, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires altitude information indicating the altitude of the movable part DP measured by this distance sensor and information indicating the geographical position of the working device 30 measured using the positioning sensor. Alternatively, an altitude sensor that measures the altitude using air pressure may be used instead of an optical distance sensor.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the work period determination unit 120 determines the work period based on the difference in altitude. However, the work period determination unit 120 may determine the work period based on the altitude itself instead of the difference in altitude. For example, in a configuration in which a distance sensor measures the distance between the movable part DP and the ground surface of the field F, the work period determination unit 120 may skip step S1004 in Fig. 7, and in step S1006, determine the period in which the distance between the movable part DP and the ground surface of the field F is at a first altitude corresponding to the non-work position as the non-work period, and the period in which the distance is at a second altitude corresponding to the work position as the work period.

[0069] Furthermore, the work period determination unit 120 may determine the work period based on a different standard from that of the above embodiment. As an example, in step S1006 of FIG. 7, when the value obtained by accumulating the difference in altitude during a predetermined period (for example, one minute) is smaller than a predetermined negative threshold, the work period determination unit 120 may determine the period as a negative variable period. Alternatively, the work period determination unit 120 may determine that the work period ends when the value obtained by accumulating the difference in altitude during a predetermined period is larger than a predetermined positive threshold. Similarly, the work period determination unit 120 may determine the period as a positive variable period when the value obtained by accumulating the difference in altitude during a predetermined period is larger than a predetermined positive threshold. Then, the work period determination unit 120 may determine the period between the end time of the negative variable period and the end time of the positive variable period as the work period. The above-mentioned predetermined period may be determined by setting according to a standard time required for the movable part DP to move from a work position to a non-work position or vice versa. The above-mentioned positive threshold and negative threshold may be determined by setting according to the difference in altitude between the work position and the non-work position of the movable part DP.

[0070] Alternatively, in a configuration in which the distance between the movable part DP and the surface of the field F is measured by a distance sensor as in the above-mentioned modified example, if the distance between the movable part DP and the surface of the field F decreases by more than a predetermined ratio during a predetermined period (e.g., 10 seconds) in step S1006 of Fig. 7, the work period determination unit 120 may determine that period as a negative fluctuation period. Similarly, if the distance between the movable part DP and the surface of the field F increases by more than a predetermined ratio during a predetermined period (e.g., 10 seconds), the work period determination unit 120 may determine that period as a positive fluctuation period.

[0071] In step S1008 of FIG. 7, when determining the working area of ​​the field information D1, the information management unit 130 may perform correction taking into consideration the deviation between the reference position of the working device 30 (e.g., the geometric center or center of gravity of the vehicle body) and the position of the antenna PS. For example, the information management unit 130 may determine, as the working area, a convex hull including a position after the position of the working device 30 indicated by the working position information is corrected based on relative information indicating the relative position of the antenna PS as viewed from the reference position of the working device 30. As an example, a case will be described in which the antenna PS is provided at a position a predetermined distance (e.g., 1 meter) away from the reference position of the working device 30 in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the working device 30. In this case, the information management unit 130 may calculate a position corrected by a predetermined distance in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the working device 30 at each position from the position of the working device indicated by the working position information, and determine a convex hull including this corrected position as the working area. The above-mentioned relative information may be stored in the storage device 18 in advance as setting information. Alternatively, the server device 10 may use the input / output device 12 to accept a user input indicating the relative position.

[0072] In addition, the antenna PS installed on the installation part IP may move in the in-plane direction of the ground surface of the field F together with the movable part DP during operation and non-operation. In this case, in step S1008 of FIG. 7, the information management unit 130 may correct the position indicated by the position information during operation or non-operation, taking into consideration the difference in the geographical position of the antenna PS when viewed from the reference position of the operation device 30 during operation and non-operation. For example, in step S1008, the information management unit 130 corrects the operation position information corresponding to the operation period among the position information included in the positioning information acquired in step S1003, based on difference information indicating the difference in the relative position of the antenna PS of the operation device 30 during operation and non-operation. The difference information may be stored in the storage device 18 in advance as setting information. Alternatively, the server device 10 may use the input / output device 12 to accept a user input indicating the relative position.

[0073] As an example, a case will be described in which the relative position of the antenna PS as viewed from the reference position of the working device 30 moves from a position during non-working (also referred to as a non-working position) to a position (also referred to as a working position) that is a predetermined distance (for example, 50 centimeters) away in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the working device 30 when the working device 30 is working. In this case, the information management unit 130 calculates a position corrected by a predetermined distance in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the working device 30 at each position from the position during working of the working device 30 indicated by the working position information, and uses this corrected position as the position of the working device 30 during working, thereby correcting the difference between the position of the antenna PS during working and non-working. Note that the information management unit 130 may correct the difference between the position of the antenna PS during working and non-working by correcting the position information (non-working position information) measured during a non-working period instead of the working position information.

[0074] In the above-described modified example, in step S1008, the information management unit 130 may determine, based on information indicating the relative position of the antenna PS of the working device 30 during working and non-working, as the working area, a convex hull including the position of the working device 30 after correcting the position indicated by the working position information.

[0075] 7, the information management unit 130 may make a correction taking into account the working width of the working device 30 when determining the working area of ​​the field information D1. For example, the information management unit 130 may determine, as the working area, an area expanded by the working width of the working device 30 with respect to a convex hull including the position of the working device 30 during the working period indicated by the work position information. In this case, the information indicating the working width of the working device 30 may be stored in advance in the storage device 18 as setting information. Alternatively, the server device 10 may use the input / output device 12 to receive a user input indicating the working width.

[0076] Furthermore, the information managed by the information management unit 130 based on the work period does not have to be the field information D1 of the above embodiment. For example, in step S1008 of Fig. 7, the information management unit 130 may generate or update information indicating the determined work period for each of one or more work devices 30 based on the work period determined by the work period determination unit 120 (e.g., information indicating the start time, end time, and cumulative work time of the work period). At this time, the information output unit 140 may output the information indicating the work period as output information in step S1010.

[0077] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the configurations described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily modified and / or combined as long as the functions are not impaired. Furthermore, some of the functions described in the embodiments may be omitted as long as the necessary functions can be realized.

[0078] (Additional Note) The information management method, information management device, information management system, and program described in each embodiment can be described as follows.

[0079] The information management method according to a first aspect includes determining a work period during which the work device performed work based on altitude information indicating an altitude of a movable part of the work device that differs between when the work device is working in a field and when the work device is not working in a field; outputting output information relating to the determined work period; Includes.

[0080] An information management method according to a second aspect is the information management method according to the first aspect, determining work position information indicating a position during the work period from among a plurality of pieces of position information each indicating a geographical position of the work device based on the determined work period; determining a working area in which the working device has worked based on the determined working position information; Further comprising: The output information includes information indicating the determined working area.

[0081] An information management method according to a third aspect is an information management method according to the second aspect, The method further includes displaying the work area included in the output information.

[0082] An information management method according to a fourth aspect is an information management method according to any one of the first to third aspects, Determining the duration of the work determining a fluctuation period during which the altitude of the movable part fluctuates beyond a predetermined standard based on a plurality of pieces of altitude information each indicating an altitude of the movable part at a different time; determining the work period based on the determined variable period; Includes.

[0083] An information management method according to a fifth aspect is an information management method according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, generating the altitude information based on a positioning signal output from a positioning satellite and received by an antenna installed on the movable part of the working device; The method further includes generating the location information based on the positioning signals received by the antenna.

[0084] An information management method according to a sixth aspect is the information management method according to the fifth aspect, The method further includes correcting the working position information based on information indicating a difference in the relative position of the movable part viewed from a reference position of the working device, between when the working device is working and when the working device is not working.

[0085] An information management device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises: a work period determination unit that determines a work period during which the work device has performed work based on altitude information that indicates an altitude of a movable part of the work device that differs between when the work device is working in a field and when the work device is not working; an information output unit that outputs output information related to the determined work period; Equipped with.

[0086] An information management system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes: An information management system including a work device and a work management device, The working device is A movable part that has a different height when working in a field and when not working; a positioning unit for determining an altitude of the movable unit; A first output unit that outputs altitude information indicating the determined altitude of the movable part; Equipped with The work management device, an information acquisition unit that acquires the altitude information output by the first output unit; a work period determination unit that determines a work period during which the work device performs work based on the altitude information acquired by the information acquisition unit; A second output unit that outputs output information related to the determined work period; Equipped with.

[0087] An information management system according to a ninth aspect is the information management system according to the eighth aspect, The working device further includes an antenna provided on the movable part of the working device, the antenna being configured to receive positioning signals from positioning satellites; The positioning unit determines the altitude of the movable unit based on the positioning signal received by the antenna.

[0088] An information management program according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes: determining a work period during which the working implement is in operation based on altitude information indicating an altitude of a movable part of the working implement, the altitude of which differs between when the working implement is in operation and when the working implement is not in operation in a farm field; outputting output information relating to the determined work period; Execute the command. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Information Management System 10. Server equipment 12... Input / output device 14...Arithmetic device 16...Communication equipment 18...Storage device 110…Information acquisition department 120...Work Period Determination Division 130…Information Management Department 140...Information output section 160...Information storage unit 20...User terminal 22... Input / output device 24...Arithmetic device 26...Communication equipment 28…Storage device 210...Display section 30...Work equipment 32...Control device 34...Drive unit 40...Communication terminal 42...Control device 44...Arithmetic device 46...Communication equipment 48...Storage device 49... Positioning device 410…Positioning unit 420...Output section F...field NT…Network GP: Positioning satellite DP…Movable part IP…Installation part PS…Antenna CL: Perpendicular L: Communication cable M1, M2, M3…Storage medium P1, P2, P3…Program D1…Field information

Claims

1. determining a work period in which the work device performed work based on altitude information indicating an altitude of a movable part of the work device that is different when working in a field and when not working in a field; outputting output information relating to the determined work period; Including, Information management method.

2. determining work position information indicating a position during the work period from among a plurality of pieces of position information each indicating a geographical position of the work device based on the determined work period; determining a working area in which the working device has worked based on the determined working position information; Further comprising: The output information includes information indicating the determined working area. The information management method according to claim 1 .

3. displaying the work area included in the output information. The information management method according to claim 2.

4. determining said operation period, determining a fluctuation period during which the altitude of the movable part fluctuates beyond a predetermined standard based on a plurality of pieces of altitude information each indicating an altitude of the movable part at a different time; determining the work period based on the determined variable period; Including, The information management method according to claim 1 .

5. generating the altitude information based on a positioning signal output from a positioning satellite and received by an antenna installed on the movable part of the working device; generating the location information based on the positioning signal received by the antenna; The information management method according to claim 2.

6. and correcting the work position information based on information indicating a difference in a relative position of the movable part from a reference position of the working device during the working state and during the non-working state. The information management method according to claim 5.

7. a work period determination unit that determines a work period during which the work device has performed work based on altitude information that indicates an altitude of a movable part of the work device that differs between when the work device is working in a field and when the work device is not working; an information output unit that outputs output information related to the determined work period; Equipped with Information management device.

8. An information management system including a work device and a work management device, The working device is A movable part that has a different height when working in a field and when not working; a positioning unit for determining an altitude of the movable unit; A first output unit that outputs altitude information indicating the determined altitude of the movable part; Equipped with The work management device, an information acquisition unit that acquires the altitude information output by the first output unit; a work period determination unit that determines a work period during which the work device performs work based on the altitude information acquired by the information acquisition unit; A second output unit that outputs output information related to the determined work period; Equipped with Information management system.

9. The working device further includes an antenna provided on the movable part of the working device, the antenna being configured to receive positioning signals from positioning satellites; The positioning unit determines the altitude of the movable unit based on the positioning signal received by the antenna. The information management system according to claim 8.

10. On the computer, determining a work period during which the working implement is in operation based on altitude information indicating an altitude of a movable part of the working implement, the altitude of which differs between when the working implement is in operation and when the working implement is not in operation in a farm field; outputting output information relating to the determined work period; A program for executing.

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