Operation status assessment device

Abstract

To solve the problems of conventional arts, that is, to provide an operation status assessment support device that can acquire indicators for determining an operation status of a construction machine from an image.SOLUTION: An operation status assessment support device is a device that assesses an operation status of a construction machine in a target area based on on-site images of the target area periodically captured by imaging means installed at a certain location, and comprises machine detection means, operation determination means, operation time calculation means, and assessment value calculation means. The assessment value calculation means is means for calculating an operation status assessment value of the construction machine based on an operation time of the construction machine. The operation status of the construction machine can be assessed based on the operation status assessment value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to technology related to construction management in construction work, and more specifically, to an operation status evaluation support device that can evaluate the suitability of the operation status of construction machinery using an evaluation value calculated based on the operation time of the construction machinery. [Background technology]

[0002] The duties of engineers in charge of managing construction work are diverse, with construction management being one of the most important responsibilities. Construction management includes process management, safety management, and quality management, and each of these is tackled as part of daily work. Process management involves judging the progress of each task, safety management involves inspecting dangerous areas to prevent workplace accidents, and quality control involves conducting tests to determine the suitability of materials such as concrete.

[0003] In any case, construction management is carried out by engineers making visual observations while patrolling the site. If any problems are found during the observations, they will plan and instruct improvement measures to resolve the problems. Inspection that involves patrolling takes a lot of time, and in order to plan appropriate improvement measures, accumulated experience and know-how are required. In other words, construction management requires securing skilled workers and other people with considerable skills for long periods of time. However, the construction industry has been facing a chronic labor shortage problem for some time, and it is expected that it will become increasingly difficult to secure excellent engineers in the future.

[0004] On the other hand, to resolve labor shortages, images can be used as a substitute for the human eye. Digital cameras and digital video cameras can continuously capture many images, and these images contain a variety of information. Furthermore, in recent years, with the advancement of information technology, including machine learning, it has become possible to extract necessary information from images. For example, from an image that includes construction machinery, it is possible to identify the type of construction machinery (backhoe or dump truck).

[0005] It is also conceivable to use images in construction management. By checking images in real time at a supervisor's station, it is possible to at least reduce the time spent patrolling the site. Various techniques related to construction management using images have been proposed up to now. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for safety management using images, and Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for quality control using images. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-203677 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-000278 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Technologies for safety management and quality management using images, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, have been proposed in the past. However, there have not been many proposals for technologies for process management using images. Process management includes the appropriateness of the number of construction machines deployed, and it is necessary to determine whether the construction machines are operating appropriately. As explained above, the conventional technology can determine the type of construction machine from the image, but cannot indicate the appropriateness of operation, such as whether the number of construction machines deployed is appropriate. Furthermore, the more complex the information to be understood, the more the ability to deeply interpret the image is required, but the conventional technology has not yet reached the point of interpreting the image and presenting the necessary information.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems associated with the conventional technology, that is, to provide an operation status evaluation support device that can acquire indicators for determining the operation status of a construction machine from an image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention was made with a focus on determining the operation time of a construction machine from successive images and calculating an "operation status evaluation value" that can evaluate the operation status of the construction machine based on that operation time, and is an invention based on a previously unknown idea.

[0010] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention is a device that evaluates the operation status of a construction machine in a target area based on on-site images of the target area captured periodically (or intermittently) by an image capture means installed at one location, and is equipped with a machine detection means, an operation determination means, an operation time calculation means, and an evaluation value calculation means. The machine detection means is a means for detecting a construction machine from an on-site image and estimating the machine type of the construction machine, and the operation determination means is a means for determining that the construction machine is in operation when there is a change in the construction machine included in the on-site image for each predetermined determination period. The operation time calculation means is a means for calculating the operation time of the construction machine by accumulating the determination periods during which the construction machine is determined to be in operation by the operation determination means, and the evaluation value calculation means is a means for calculating an operation status evaluation value of the construction machine based on the operation time of the construction machine. The operation status of the construction machine can then be evaluated based on the operation status evaluation value.

[0011] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention can count the number of movements of a construction machine when there is a change in the same construction machine included in successive site images, and can also perform an operation judgment of the construction machine when the number of movements recorded during the judgment period exceeds a number threshold. Note that the number threshold is preset as a different value for each machine type.

[0012] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention may also be configured to obtain an operation status evaluation value based on the downtime of the construction machine. In this case, the operation time calculation means calculates the downtime of the construction machine by accumulating the judgment period during which the operation judgment means judges that the construction machine is not in operation. The evaluation value calculation means calculates the operation status evaluation value by dividing the operation time of the construction machine by the sum of the operation time and the downtime.

[0013] The operational status evaluation support device of the present invention may also determine an operational status evaluation value by dividing the operation time of a construction machine by a preset planned operation time.

[0014] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention can also count the number of movements based on the distance traveled by the construction machine. In this case, the distance traveled by the construction machine in the on-site image is calculated based on the position of the same construction machine included in successive on-site images, and the number of movements of the construction machine is counted when the distance traveled exceeds a distance threshold. The distance threshold is preset as a different value for each machine type.

[0015] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention can also detect a machine frame containing a construction machine. In this case, the operation determination means counts the number of movements of the construction machine when the shapes of the machine frames related to the same construction machine included in successive on-site images are different.

[0016] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention may further include a work type estimation means for estimating the type of work performed by the construction machine based on the machine type of the construction machine detected by the machine detection means. The work type estimation means estimates the type of work performed by the construction machine based on the machine type of the construction machine and the machine types of other construction machines in the vicinity of the construction machine. In this case, the operation time calculation means calculates the operation time of the construction machine for each work type. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention has the following effects. (1) Because the information obtained through image processing is converted into an operational status evaluation value, users are not required to deeply interpret the images and can evaluate the operational status of construction machinery by focusing only on the operational status evaluation value. This enables faster decision-making, from identifying problems to proposing improvement measures. (2) By appropriately combining various information obtained from images, various operational status evaluation values ​​can be obtained, such as an operational status evaluation value according to the construction machine or the type of work. In other words, an operational status evaluation value suitable for the content to be evaluated can be obtained, and thus the operational status can be appropriately evaluated. (3) Since the operating status of construction machinery can be evaluated, it will be possible to redeploy the appropriate number of construction machinery, thereby contributing to reducing construction costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an image of a target area captured by an imaging means installed at one location. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a model diagram that shows a schematic diagram of an operational status evaluation value obtained by converting various information acquired from on-site images. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an operation status evaluation support device according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 13 is a model diagram showing a schematic diagram of a movement distance caused by the position of the machine frame in a site image relating to an earlier detection time and the position of the machine frame in a site image relating to a later detection time. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a model diagram illustrating a situation in which the shape of the machine frame in a site image relating to an earlier detection time differs from the shape of the machine frame in a site image relating to a later detection time. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a time table diagram showing an example of the operation status of a backhoe. [Figure 7] A timetable diagram showing the arrival of four types of dump trucks. [Figure 8]A graph showing the change in the number of dump trucks in operation over the course of a day. [Figure 9] 1 is a graph showing the operation status of various construction machines in the morning of a work day. [Figure 10] Graph showing the operation status of construction machinery by work type. [Figure 11] 3 is a flowchart showing a main process flow until the operational status evaluation support device of the present invention calculates an operational status evaluation value. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the operation status evaluation support device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention can be used in situations where construction machines are in operation, and can be used in a variety of cases, such as construction work and various facility construction works, but for convenience, an example of use in construction work will be described here.

[0020] 1.Overview Fig. 1 is an image diagram of an area of ​​a construction site where construction machinery operates (hereinafter simply referred to as the "work area") captured by a photographing means (so-called fixed camera) installed at one location. As shown in this figure, one of the technical features of the operation status evaluation support device of the present invention is to obtain various information related to the construction machinery from the image captured by the photographing means (hereinafter referred to as the "on-site image PH") and to calculate an "operation status evaluation value" based on this information. This operation status evaluation value is, so to speak, a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) in process management.

[0021] For example, Fig. 2 shows an example in which information on the presence of dump trucks, backhoes, and bulldozers is acquired from the on-site image PH, and furthermore, location information of the detected construction machinery and information on the time of detection are acquired, and various operational status evaluation values ​​are calculated by converting this information. Specifically, the operational status evaluation value for each construction machinery is calculated from the actual operation rate and planned operation rate of each construction machinery, and similarly, the operational status evaluation value for each work type (transportation work, loading work, excavation work, and earth-dozing work) is calculated from the actual operation rate and planned operation rate of each work type, and the operational status evaluation value for excavation work is calculated from the actual excavation volume and the planned excavation volume.

[0022] In this way, the operation status evaluation support device of the present invention can obtain an operation status evaluation value (i.e., KPI) by processing various information contained in the on-site images PH, so that the engineers in charge of construction management can instantly judge the efficiency of the work without having to deeply interpret the images. This allows them to quickly take measures to improve the efficiency of the work, such as reviewing the number of specific construction machines deployed or the specifications of the construction machines.

[0023] 2. Operational Status Evaluation Support Device Next, the operation status evaluation support device 100 of the present invention will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the operation status evaluation support device 100 of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the operation status evaluation support device 100 of the present invention is configured to include a machine detection means 101, an operation determination means 102, an operation time calculation means 103, and an evaluation value calculation means 104, and can also be configured to further include a work type estimation means 105, a number counting means 106, a quantity estimation means 107, an image capture means 108, an on-site image storage means 109, etc.

[0024] Among the main elements constituting the operation status evaluation support device 100, the machine detection means 101, the operation determination means 102, the operation time calculation means 103, the evaluation value calculation means 104, the work type estimation means 105, the number counting means 106, and the quantity estimation means 107 can be manufactured as dedicated devices, or a general-purpose computer device can be used. This computer device is equipped with a processor such as a CPU, a memory such as a ROM or a RAM, an input means such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display, and can be configured as a personal computer, a server, a tablet PC such as an iPad (registered trademark), a mobile terminal including a smartphone, or the like. In other words, the processing of these various means is performed by making the computer device execute arithmetic processing by a predetermined program. The photographing means 108 can also be prepared as a dedicated device, or one included in the computer device can be used.

[0025] The local image storage means 109 can use a storage device of a general-purpose computer, or can be constructed in a database server. When constructed in a database server, it can be placed in a local network (LAN: Local Area Network) or can be a cloud server that stores data via the Internet.

[0026] Hereinafter, each of the main elements constituting the operation status evaluation support device 100 of the present invention will be described.

[0027] (Method of filming) The photographing means 108 can periodically, intermittently, or continuously acquire "local images PH", and can be, for example, a digital camera or a digital video camera. When a digital camera is used as the photographing means 108, it is controlled to acquire so-called "continuous still images", and when a digital video camera is used, each single image constituting a moving image is treated as a local image PH. The frequency at which the photographing means 108 acquires the local images PH can be designed to be, for example, 24 to 60 frames per second (i.e., 24 to 60 fps), but of course it can also be designed to be less than 24 frames per second or 61 frames per second or more. The local images PH acquired by the photographing means 108 are stored in the local image storage means 109 together with the time of their capture (FIG. 3).

[0028] The imaging means 108 is installed at one location and used as a so-called "fixed-point camera." The imaging means 108 is also positioned so that it can capture the work area, and for example, in Fig. 1, the imaging means 108 is installed at a high position so that the work area can be overlooked. Note that when construction machines are operating at multiple locations on a construction site, that is, when work areas can be set at multiple locations, it is advisable to install an imaging means 108 for each work area.

[0029] (Mechanical detection means) The machine detection means 101 is a means for detecting construction machines from the site image PH and estimating the "machine type." For example, the machine detection means 101 can be constructed by using images with machine types as training data and machine learning a large amount of training data. Alternatively, the machine detection means 101 can be constructed by utilizing various conventional image processing techniques.

[0030] The machine detection means 101 can be configured to detect all construction machines included in the local image PH. For example, in FIG. 1, five backhoes (backhoes No. 01 to No. 05), one bulldozer (bulldozer No. 06), and one dump truck (dump truck No. 42) are detected. The machine detection means 101 can also be configured to process all local images PH captured by the imaging means 108, or to detect construction machines from the local images PH at a predetermined interval (for example, every 3 seconds). The imaging time of the local image PH detected by the machine detection means 101 is recorded as the "detection time" by the machine detection means 101.

[0031] When a construction machine is detected by the machine detection means 101, a bounding box (hereinafter referred to as a "machine frame") surrounding the construction machine is set as shown by the white line in Fig. 1. This machine frame is then set as a rectangle for each construction machine, and the "position of the machine frame (e.g., center coordinates)" and the "shape of the machine frame (width and height dimensions)" in the local image PH are recorded. In other words, the machine detection means 101 detects the construction machine from the local image PH, and detects and records the machine type, the position of the machine frame, and the shape of the machine frame.

[0032] (Work type estimation means) The work type estimation means 105 is a means for estimating the type of work performed by a construction machine based on the machine type of the construction machine detected by the machine detection means 101. For example, if a dump truck is detected alone, the work type is estimated as "transportation work", and if a backhoe is detected alone, the work type is estimated as "excavation work".

[0033] On the other hand, when construction machines related to two or more machine types are detected and these construction machines are arranged close to each other, the work type estimation means 105 may estimate the work type based on the machine type related to each construction machine. For example, when a dump truck and a backhoe are detected approaching each other, the work type is estimated as "loading work", and when a backhoe and a bulldozer are detected approaching each other, the work type is estimated as "earth pushing work". It is also possible to set a table (hereinafter referred to as "machine-work table") that associates machine types with work types in advance, and to have the work type estimation means 105 infer the work type by referring to the machine type in this machine-work table. Of course, the machine-work table can also be set by associating a combination of multiple machine types with work types (for example, dump truck and backhoe = loading work).

[0034] (Operation determination means) The operation determination means 102 is a means for comparing the local image PH relating to the previous and next detection times, and determining that the construction machine is operating when there is a change in the construction machine included in the local image PH. However, the operation determination means 102 makes a determination every predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the "determination period"), in other words, every time this determination period elapses. For convenience, a determination that the construction machine is operating will be referred to as an "operation determination", and a determination that the construction machine is not operating will be referred to as a "stop determination".

[0035] When the operation determination means 102 performs the operation determination or the stop determination, it can be configured to use the local images PH related to successive detection times, compare the positions of the same construction machine contained in each local image PH, and perform one of the determinations. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the position of the machine frame in the local image PH01 related to the earlier detection time is compared with the position of the machine frame in the local image PH02 related to the later detection time, and if there is a change in the position, the operation determination is performed, and conversely, if there is no change, the stop determination is performed. At this time, in order to avoid erroneous determination due to noise in the local image PH, it is preferable to perform the determination based on a predetermined threshold value (hereinafter referred to as the "distance threshold value"). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the preceding and succeeding machine frames (hereinafter referred to as the "movement distance") is obtained, and when this movement distance exceeds (or becomes equal to or greater than) the distance threshold, the operation determination is performed, and conversely, when it becomes equal to or less than (or becomes less than) the distance threshold, the stop determination is performed.

[0036] The operation determination means 102 can be configured to perform either of the determinations based on the shape of the machine frame. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the machine frame in the local image PH01 relating to the earlier detection time is compared with the shape of the machine frame in the local image PH02 relating to the later detection time, and if there is a change in the shape, an operation determination is performed, and conversely, if there is no change, a stop determination is performed. In this case, too, in order to avoid erroneous determinations due to noise in the local image PH, it is preferable to perform the determination based on a predetermined threshold value (hereinafter referred to as a "shape threshold value"). For example, the ratio of the width to the length of the machine frame included in the earlier local image PH01 and the later local image PH02 (hereinafter referred to as an "aspect ratio") is calculated, and an operation determination is performed when the difference (or ratio) between the earlier and later aspect ratios exceeds (or is equal to or greater than) the shape threshold value, and a stop determination is performed when it is equal to or less than (or is less than) the shape threshold value.

[0037] As described above, the operation determination means 102 performs operation determination and stoppage determination for each predetermined "determination period." If the machine detection means 101 performs the detection process of the construction machine at 3-second intervals and the determination period is one minute, 20 determinations will be performed. For example, in FIG. 6, 31 on-site images PH are acquired between 9:30:00 and 9:31:00, and 20 determinations will be performed if the first and second on-site images PH are considered as one set. Therefore, the operation determination means 102 determines the determination for the determination period using the 20 so-called provisional determination results. At this time, if an operation determination is performed even once during the determination period, the determination period can be determined as an operation determination. Alternatively, the cumulative number of operation determinations during the determination period (hereinafter referred to as "movement count") can be calculated, and when the movement count exceeds a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as "count threshold value"), the determination period can be determined as an operation determination. Note that this count threshold value may be set in advance as a different value for each machine type.

[0038] (Means of calculating operating time) The operation time calculation means 103 is a means for calculating the time during which the construction machine has been in operation (hereinafter simply referred to as "operation time") by accumulating the determination periods for which the operation determination means 102 has determined that the machine is in operation. The operation time calculation means 103 can also calculate the time during which the construction machine has been stopped (hereinafter simply referred to as "stopped time") by accumulating the determination periods for which the operation determination means 102 has determined that the machine is stopped.

[0039] For example, in Fig. 6, the operating status of the backhoe is judged with a judgment period of 1 minute. The first judgment period (9:30:00-9:31:00) is judged as operating, the second judgment period (9:31:00-9:32:00) is also judged as operating, the third judgment period (9:32:00-9:33:00) is also judged as operating, and the fourth judgment period (9:33:00-9:34:00) is judged as stopped. As a result, within the time period shown in Fig. 6, the operating time calculation means 103 calculates the operating time of the backhoe as 3 minutes and the stopped time of the backhoe as 1 minute.

[0040] (Method of counting units) The number counting means 106 is a means for calculating the total number of construction machines (hereinafter referred to as "operating number") that arrived at the work area during a specified period (for example, one day). However, the number counting means 106 calculates the operating number for each type of machine. For example, when a dump truck and a bulldozer arrive at the work area, the operating number is calculated for each dump truck, and the operating number is calculated for each bulldozer. Since the operating number is calculated for each dump truck, even if two or more different dump trucks arrive at the work area, the operating number is calculated for all dump trucks together. In other words, the operating number of dump trucks is calculated by tallying up the operating numbers for each individual dump truck (hereinafter referred to as "individual operating number") and then tallying up the individual operating numbers for each dump truck.

[0041] When calculating the number of operating machines, it is advisable to count the number of operating machines when a construction machine is detected from the previous local image PH and then the construction machine is no longer detected from the local image PH. Also, when multiple construction machines of the same type arrive in the work area, it is advisable to focus on each of the same construction machines and count the individual operating numbers, and finally calculate the number of operating machines by totaling the individual operating numbers.

[0042] For example, in FIG. 7, four types of dump trucks (dump trucks A to D) arrive at the work area. Focusing on dump truck A in this figure, it was first detected from the local image PH at 10:10:00 (i.e., it entered) and was no longer detected from the local image PH at 10:48:00 (i.e., it left), so at this point, the individual operating number for dump truck A is counted as the "first truck". Furthermore, dump truck A re-entered at 11:15:00 and left again at 11:52:00, so at this point, the individual operating number for dump truck A is counted as the "second truck". Similarly, focusing on dump truck C, it entered at 10:52:00 and left at 11:28:00, so at this point, the individual operating number for dump truck C is counted as the "first truck". And for the period shown in Fig. 7, the individual operating numbers for dump truck A are counted as 2, the individual operating numbers for dump truck B are also counted as 2, the individual operating numbers for dump truck C are also counted as 1, and the individual operating numbers for dump truck D are also counted as 1, so the total number of operating dump trucks is counted as 6. Note that the number of operating units is a cumulative value, so it increases steadily, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a graph showing the change in the number of operating units over the course of a day, showing yesterday's actual results, today's actual results, and planned values.

[0043] When the number counting means 106 counts the number of operating dump trucks, the amount of excavated soil transported by the dump trucks can be estimated by the quantity estimating means 107, and the excavation volume can be estimated accordingly. In other words, the quantity estimating means 107 estimates the amount of excavated soil transported by multiplying the number of operating dump trucks by the standard loading capacity of the dump truck, and estimates the volume of excavated soil by multiplying the transported volume by a predetermined coefficient.

[0044] (Evaluation value calculation means) The evaluation value calculation means 104 is a means for calculating the "operational status evaluation value" of the construction machine, and can calculate it based on the operation time. For example, the operation status evaluation value KPI can be calculated by "Formula 1" using the operation time TD and the downtime TS. KPI=TD÷(TD+TS)...Formula 1 In addition, the operation status evaluation value KPI can also be calculated using "Formula 2" based on the operation time TD and the planned operation TP. KPI=TD÷TP...Formula 2 Alternatively, the operational status evaluation value KPI can be calculated by "Formula 3" using the actual excavation volume EA estimated by the quantity estimation means 107 and the planned excavation volume EP. KPI=EA÷EP...Formula 3

[0045] When the work type estimation means 105 estimates the work type related to the construction machine, the evaluation value calculation means 104 can also calculate the operating status evaluation value KPI for each work type. For example, when the work type estimation means 105 estimates transportation work, loading work, excavation work, and pushing work, the evaluation value calculation means 104 calculates the operating status evaluation value KPI related to transportation work, the operating status evaluation value KPI related to loading work, the operating status evaluation value KPI related to excavation work, and the operating status evaluation value KPI related to pushing work. Specifically, the operating status evaluation value KPI is calculated using the operating time TD and downtime TS of the construction machine related to excavation work (Equation 1), the operating status evaluation value KPI is calculated using the operating time TD and planned operating time TP of the construction machine related to loading work (Equation 2), and the operating status evaluation value KPI is calculated using the actual excavation volume EA and planned excavation volume EP of the dump truck related to transportation work (Equation 3).

[0046] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the operation status of various construction machines in the morning of a work day. From this figure, it can be clearly seen that when the operation status evaluation value KPI is calculated using the above-mentioned formula 1, the operation status evaluation value KPI for backhoe 01 and backhoe 02 shows a small value. Backhoe 01 and backhoe 02 are displayed in a shaded state as a warning. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the operation status of construction machines by work type. From this figure, it can be clearly seen that when the operation status evaluation value KPI is calculated using the above-mentioned formula 2, the operation status evaluation value KPI for earthwork and loading shows a small value.

[0047] The operating status evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means 104 in this way indicates the "work efficiency" of the construction machine or the work type. In other words, the larger the operating status evaluation value of a construction machine, the more efficiently it is operating, and conversely, the smaller the operating status evaluation value of a construction machine, the less appropriately it is operating. When the operating status evaluation value is small, the efficiency of work can be improved by reviewing the number of construction machines deployed. For example, when the operating status evaluation value of a backhoe is small, the backhoe is, so to speak, sitting idle, and therefore it is considered that the efficiency of excavation work will increase if the number of dump trucks deployed is increased.

[0048] (Processing flow) Below, the main processing of the operational status evaluation support device 100 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flow diagram showing the flow of main processing up to the calculation of an operational status evaluation value by the operational status evaluation support device 100 of the present invention, in which the process to be executed is shown in the center column, the information required for that process is shown in the left column, and the information resulting from that process is shown in the right column.

[0049] When the operational status evaluation support device 100 calculates the operational status evaluation value, first, on-site images PH are acquired by the photographing means 108 (Step 201 in FIG. 11). Then, construction machines are detected by the machine detection means 101 from the on-site images PH that are periodically (or intermittently or continuously) photographed by the photographing means 108 (Step 202 in FIG. 11). At this time, a machine frame is set for the detected construction machine, and the machine type, machine frame position, and machine frame shape of the construction machine are detected and recorded, as described above.

[0050] When a construction machine is detected from the on-site image PH, the work type estimation means 105 estimates the work type based on the machine type related to the construction machine (Step 203 in FIG. 11). Next, the operation determination means 102 counts the number of movements in the determination period (Step 204 in FIG. 11). Then, the number of movements is compared with a count threshold to determine whether the determination period is to be an "operation determination" or an "stop determination" (Step 205 in FIG. 11). Furthermore, the operation time is calculated by tallying up the determination periods that are determined to be operation (Step 206 in FIG. 11), and the stop time is calculated by tallying up the determination periods that are determined to be stop determination (Step 207 in FIG. 11).

[0051] Once the operating time has been calculated, the evaluation value calculation means 104 calculates an operating status evaluation value (Step 208 in FIG. 11). As described above, when the work type relating to the construction machine has been estimated by the work type estimation means 105, the evaluation value calculation means 104 can also calculate an operating status evaluation value for each work type. Once the operating status evaluation value is obtained, the "work efficiency" of the construction machine and work type is evaluated. In other words, a construction machine with a larger operating status evaluation value is evaluated as being in an operating state more efficiently, and conversely, a construction machine with a smaller operating status evaluation value is evaluated as being in an operating state less appropriately. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] The operation status evaluation support device of the present invention can be used in various cases where construction machinery is operated, such as civil engineering and architectural works, various facility construction works, etc. Considering that the present invention solves the chronic labor shortage problem in the construction industry and enables reduction of construction costs by improving efficiency, it can be said to be an invention that can be expected to not only be used industrially but also to make a great contribution to society. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100 Operational status evaluation support device of the present invention 101 (Operation status evaluation support device) machine detection means 102 (operation status evaluation support device) operation determination means 103 (operational status evaluation support device) operating time calculation means 104 (operational status evaluation support device) evaluation value calculation means 105 (Operation status evaluation support device) work type estimation means 106 (Operation status evaluation support device) unit counting means 107 Quantity estimation means (of the operation status evaluation support device) 108 (Operation status evaluation support device) imaging means 109 (Operation status evaluation support device) On-site image storage means PH local images

Claims

1. An apparatus for evaluating an operating status of a construction machine in a target area based on on-site images obtained by periodically or intermittently photographing the target area using a photographing means installed at a certain location, comprising: a machine detection means for detecting the construction machine from the site image and estimating the machine type of the detected construction machine; an operation determination means for determining that the construction machine is in operation when there is a change in the construction machine included in the on-site image for each predetermined determination period; an operation time calculation means for calculating an operation time of the construction machine by accumulating the determination period during which the construction machine is determined to be in operation by the operation determination means; an evaluation value calculation means for calculating an operation status evaluation value of the construction machine based on the operation time of the construction machine, The operation status of the construction machine can be evaluated based on the operation status evaluation value. An operation status evaluation support device characterized by:

2. the operation determination means counts the number of movements of the construction machine when there is a change in the same construction machine included in the on-site image, and determines that the construction machine is in operation when the number of movements counted during the determination period exceeds a frequency threshold; The number threshold value is preset as a different value for each machine type.

2. The operation status evaluation support device according to claim 1.

3. the operation time calculation means calculates a downtime of the construction machine by accumulating the determination period during which the operation determination means has not determined that the construction machine is in operation; the evaluation value calculation means calculates the operation status evaluation value by dividing the operation time of the construction machine by the sum of the operation time and the stoppage time.

2. The operation status evaluation support device according to claim 1.

4. The evaluation value calculation means calculates the operation status evaluation value by dividing the operation time of the construction machine by a preset planned operation time.

2. The operation status evaluation support device according to claim 1.

5. the operation determination means calculates a movement distance of the construction machine in the on-site image based on a position of the same construction machine included in successive on-site images, and determines that the construction machine is operating when the movement distance exceeds a distance threshold; The distance threshold is preset as a different value for each machine type.

2. The operation status evaluation support device according to claim 1.

6. The machine detection means detects a machine frame that contains the construction machine, the operation determination means determines that the construction machine is operating when the shape of the machine frame related to the same construction machine included in the successive on-site images is different.

2. The operation status evaluation support device according to claim 1.

7. a work type estimation means for estimating a work type to be performed by the construction machine based on the machine type of the construction machine detected by the machine detection means, the work type estimation means estimates the work type related to the construction machine based on the machine type of the construction machine and the machine types of other construction machines in the vicinity of the construction machine, The operation time calculation means calculates the operation time of the construction machine for each of the work types.

2. The operation status evaluation support device according to claim 1.

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