Management method and management device

Abstract

To provide a management method and a management device capable of appropriately and efficiently performing inventor management.SOLUTION: A management method is a management method for managing information of a powdery material or a plurality of piles of the powdery material, and includes a map generation step (S1, S2) for generating a three-dimensional map sowing the positions and the shapes of a plurality of piles, an association step (S3 to S7) for associating the positions of the plurality of piles with information of the plurality of piles in the three-dimensional map, and an output step (S8, S9) for outputting information of an object pile to display the information of the object pile together with an image of the object image in a display terminal in the case that the display terminal is directed to the object pile among the plurality of piles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management method and a management device, and in particular to a management method and a management device for managing information on a plurality of piles of granular or powdery materials. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in steel mills, granular or powdered materials such as iron ore and coal (hereinafter referred to as "granular materials, etc.") are used to make steel products, and these raw materials are reacted to produce iron products. Here, granular materials, etc. also include slag, which is one of the by-products generated in the process of manufacturing iron products.

[0003] For example, since multiple brands of iron ore and coal are used at the same time, it is necessary to grasp the amounts of these used and carry out operations that optimize reaction efficiency according to their ratios. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp the inventory situation at the site. Also, for example, in the case of slag, the quality must be grasped at the site to prevent quality problems. For example, it is necessary to appropriately select and ship slag from the pile that has been confirmed to meet the standards through sampling tests at the site.

[0004] Here, as a method for measuring a raw material pile for inventory control, techniques such as those described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a raw material pile measurement method in which a plurality of images of the raw material pile are taken so that the images partially overlap, the distance traveled between the photographing positions is measured, and three-dimensional coordinates are calculated by the principle of triangulation to obtain the three-dimensional shape of the raw material pile. Patent Document 2 discloses a raw material pile shape measurement method in which an unmanned aerial vehicle is moved in the length direction of the raw material yard while continuously photographing the raw material yard, and the shape of the raw material pile is measured using an object with a known length captured in the photographed images as a reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-020131 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-061674 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, although the techniques in these patent documents can measure the shape or inventory amount (volume, weight) of piles of granular materials, etc., they cannot systematically manage this data, grasp the inventory status, or track (traceability).In addition, even if a worker looks at the actual pile on-site, he or she cannot confirm whether the pile is actually the one to be removed.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a management method and a management device that are capable of performing inventory management appropriately and efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A management method for managing information on a plurality of piles of granular or powdery materials, comprising the steps of: a map generation step of generating a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the mountains; a linking step of linking the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; and an output step of outputting information about a target mountain to be displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain when the display terminal is pointed at the target mountain among the plurality of mountains.

[0009] (2) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (1), the map generating step generates the three-dimensional map based on measurement data of the plurality of peaks measured by a shape measuring device; The linking step includes calculating at least one of a volume and a weight of each of the plurality of piles based on the measurement data.

[0010] (3) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (2), The map generating step includes updating the three-dimensional map based on the measurement data measured at any timing; The linking step updates at least one of a volume and a weight of each of the plurality of piles based on the measurement data.

[0011] (4) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (3), The method further includes a determination step of comparing at least one of the change in volume and weight of the pile to be removed with the shipped amount of the pile to be removed to determine the correctness of the shipment.

[0012] (5) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in any one of (1) to (4), The linking step links at least one of the volume, weight, product type, lot number, sampling test result, shipping information, and manufacturing history as the information on the multiple piles.

[0013] (6) A management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, A management device for managing information on a plurality of piles of granular or powdery materials, comprising: a map generator for generating a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the mountains; a linking unit that links the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; and an output unit that outputs information about a target mountain to be displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain when the display terminal is pointed at the target mountain among the plurality of mountains. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a management method and a management device that are capable of performing inventory management appropriately and efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management system including a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the error between the calculated weight and the actual weight of a pile. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a display terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of a management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a management method and a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a management system including a management device according to the present embodiment. The management device is shown in a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration.

[0017] (Overall configuration of management device) The management device according to this embodiment manages information on a plurality of piles of granular materials. The term "granular materials" refers to granular or powdered materials, and specific examples include raw materials such as iron ore and coal, or by-products such as slag. For example, granular materials are transported from a ship or a factory, mixed as necessary, and piled up in a pile at a storage facility such as a yard. In this specification, a "pile" refers to a mass of piled granular materials. Different piles may be formed depending on the type, composition, or transportation time of the granular materials. As shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of piles at the storage facility. In this embodiment, the management device is located away from the storage facility, while a worker performs work such as dispensing at the storage facility. In the following description, the storage facility where work such as dispensing is performed may be referred to as a "site."

[0018] The management device includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 includes a map generating unit 131, a linking unit 132, a determination unit 133, and an output unit 134. The management device may be, for example, a computer as a hardware configuration. The computer may be a server computer or a portable computer such as a laptop or a tablet. Details of the components of the management device will be described later. Here, the management device may not be a single device, but may be configured with multiple devices that are placed in multiple locations and can transmit and receive data to each other via a network. In other words, multiple devices connected by a network may function as the management device shown in FIG. 1 as a whole. Therefore, for example, the management device may be configured with one computer as a hardware configuration, or may be configured with multiple computers connected by a network. When configured with multiple computers, the storage unit 12 may be a shared memory that each computer can access.

[0019] The management device may constitute a management system together with devices connected via a network. The network may be, for example, the Internet. The network may be, for example, partially configured to include a LAN (Local Area Network). In this embodiment, the management system is configured to include a display terminal used by an operator who performs work on site. The display terminal is a device having at least a display function, and may be, for example, a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, but is not limited to these. The display terminal displays information output from the management device and the judgment result. The display terminal may have an imaging function (i.e., a camera) as in this embodiment. The display terminal may also transmit position information (for example, coordinates indicating the position of the display terminal) and attitude information (for example, the direction and inclination of the display terminal) to the management device via the network. The position information and attitude information may be used as "input information for identifying the selected mountain" described later. The display terminal may also transmit information input by the operator using a touch panel or the like to the management device via the network. The information input by the operator may include a lot number described later. The lot number and position information may also be used as "input information for identifying the mountain to be tested" described later.

[0020] The management system may also be configured to include a shape measuring device that measures the shape of a mountain and outputs measurement data. The shape measuring device may transmit measurement data of a plurality of mountains to the management device via a network. The shape measuring device may be a known device such as a camera or a three-dimensional scanner (3D scanner), but is not limited to these, and may be any device that can measure the three-dimensional shape of a mountain. The shape measuring device may be placed at a location where it can measure a mountain, and may be mounted on a moving object such as a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) or a vehicle, may be fixedly installed at a fixed point such as the outer wall of a building, or may be mounted on a tripod or the like whose position is determined by a person.

[0021] The management system may also include a tester that executes a sampling test, which will be described later. The tester may transmit test results to the management device via a network.

[0022] The components of the management device are described in detail below. The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication modules that connect to a network. The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports wired or wireless LAN standards.

[0023] The storage unit 12 is one or more memories. The memory may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these and may be any memory. The storage unit 12 is, for example, built into a management device, but may also be configured to be accessed from the outside by the management device via any interface.

[0024] The storage unit 12 stores various data used in various calculations performed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 may also store results and intermediate data of various calculations performed by the control unit 13.

[0025] The storage unit 12 may temporarily store various information from devices connected via a network. The storage unit 12 may also store information about mountains linked to mountain positions by the linking unit 132. The storage unit 12 may also store the results of judgment by the judgment unit 133 regarding the correctness of shipment.

[0026] The control unit 13 is one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these and may be any processor. The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the management device.

[0027] Here, the management device may have the following software configuration: One or more programs used to control the operation of the management device are stored in the storage unit 12. When the programs stored in the storage unit 12 are read by the processor of the control unit 13, they cause the control unit 13 to function as a map generation unit 131, a linking unit 132, a determination unit 133, and an output unit 134.

[0028] The map generator 131 generates a three-dimensional map indicating the positions and shapes of a plurality of peaks. In this embodiment, the map generator 131 generates the three-dimensional map based on measurement data of a plurality of peaks measured by a shape measuring device.

[0029] Here, the shape measuring device may be, for example, a commercially available surveying unmanned aeroplane equipped with a camera, and the camera may take images of the mountain while flying the surveying unmanned aeroplane. The map generating unit 131 can create a 3D map by photogrammetry by combining the captured images as measurement data with the position information of the surveying unmanned aeroplane.

[0030] In order to improve the accuracy of the captured image (measurement data), it is preferable for the shape measuring device to capture images that capture many uneven surfaces such as mountain peaks and mountain bases. By using such measurement data, the map generating unit 131 can generate a highly accurate 3D map.

[0031] The shape measuring device may be configured to have a 3D scanner mounted on a vehicle, and perform 3D scanning from any location while driving around a pile of granular material or the like. The 3D scan is performed multiple times while changing the location. By combining the position information of the measurement location and the 3D data as the measurement data, the map generating unit 131 can generate a 3D map.

[0032] Measurement by the shape measuring device may be performed at any timing. Specifically, for example, it may be performed at a predetermined time interval (for example, once a week), or may be performed at a timing instructed by an operator or before or after shipment. The map generating unit 131 may update the three-dimensional map based on the measurement data measured at any timing. By updating the three-dimensional map at any timing, the determination unit 133 described later can accurately determine the correctness of shipment.

[0033] The linking unit 132 links the positions of the mountains in the three-dimensional map generated by the map generating unit 131 with the information of the mountains. Here, the information of the mountains may include at least one of the lot number (identification code) of the granular material, the product type, the manufacturing date, the shipping (dispatch) information, the manufacturing history, the retention period, the precipitation during the retention period, the amount of water sprayed during the retention period, the amount of the medicine sprayed, and the temperature of the mountains. The retention period, the precipitation during the retention period, the amount of water sprayed during the retention period, the amount of the medicine sprayed, and the temperature of the mountains are information particularly related to the grain size of the granular material. The information of the mountains may be information stored in the storage unit 12 in advance, or may be information input by the operator via the display device. The information of the mountains may be information estimated or calculated from the measurement data, including the volume, weight, etc. described below. The information of the mountains may also include the results of a sampling test from a test machine. In this embodiment, the linking unit 132 links at least one of the following information about the multiple piles: volume, weight, product type, lot number, sampling test result, shipping information, and manufacturing history. The sampling test result may include grain size, quality, and the like.

[0034] The linking unit 132 may calculate at least one of the volume and weight of each of the multiple mountains based on the measurement data. Here, the calculation of the mountain volume may be executed by the map generating unit 131, and the linking unit 132 may acquire the calculated mountain volume. That is, the volume or weight of each of the multiple mountains may be calculated by the map generating unit 131 or the linking unit 132. In this embodiment, the linking unit 132 is described as calculating at least one of the volume and weight of each of the multiple mountains. The linking unit 132 calculates the volume of a three-dimensional object above the ground as the mountain volume based on the three-dimensional data (measurement data) of the mountain. In addition, the linking unit 132 can calculate the weight of the mountain from the volume of the mountain and the density (specific gravity) of each type of mountain. The linking unit 132 may calculate at least one of the volume and weight of the mountain using, for example, the method of Patent Document 1. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an error between the calculated weight of the mountain and the actual weight. In the example of FIG. 2, a camera on a surveying unmanned aerial vehicle was used as the shape measuring device. A unique lot number was assigned to each pile. The actual weight (A) was calculated based on the weight measured when the granular material was transported. The error between the weight (B) calculated (estimated) by the linking unit 132 and the actual weight (A) was calculated as the absolute value of (1-B / A). In the example of FIG. 2, the surveying error was 1.4% or less, demonstrating that the weight of the pile can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0035] Furthermore, when measurements are performed at any timing using the shape measuring device as described above, the linking unit 132 updates at least one of the volume and weight of each of the multiple peaks based on the measurement data.

[0036] The determination unit 133 compares the amount of change in at least one of the volume and weight of the pile that is the target of the removal operation with the shipping amount of the pile that is the target of the removal operation to determine the correctness of the shipment. The amount of change in at least one of the volume and weight of the pile is calculated from the values ​​before and after the update by the linking unit 132. The shipping amount is obtained from the shipping (removal) information included in the pile information.

[0037] The output unit 134 outputs information on a target mountain designated by, for example, an operator. The designation of the target mountain may be manually input by the operator, but in this embodiment, it is executed by pointing the display terminal at the target mountain. When the display terminal is pointed at a target mountain among multiple mountains, the output unit 134 outputs information on the target mountain to display the information on the target mountain together with an image of the target mountain on the display terminal. Here, the target mountain may be identified based on a three-dimensional map, position information and attitude information of the display terminal. When the display terminal displays an image of the target mountain by an imaging function, information from the output unit 134 may be displayed together with the image of the target mountain by a known method of augmented reality (AR). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a display terminal. Here, multiple mountains at a work site generally have similar shapes, and it is easy for a worker to confuse the mountains. By being able to check the information while looking at the target mountain as in FIG. 3, a worker can perform work such as dispensing without making any mistakes at the work site.

[0038] Furthermore, the output unit 134 may output the determination result regarding the correctness of the shipment made by the determination unit 133. When the display terminal is pointed at a target pile among the multiple piles, the output unit 134 may output the determination result so that the determination result is displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target pile. By also referring to the determination result, the worker can perform error-free removal work on-site and can immediately notice any errors.

[0039] (Management method) 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the management method executed by the management device according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the judgment unit 133 judges whether the shipment is correct, and also performs a sampling test to test the quality, etc. The result of the sampling test is used to judge whether the granular objects, etc. that make up the pile meet the shipping criteria.

[0040] The map generating unit 131 acquires measurement data of multiple peaks measured by a shape measuring device (step S1). The map generating unit 131 generates a 3D map indicating the positions and shapes of the multiple peaks (step S2). In the example of Fig. 4, the generation of the 3D map includes not only new generation but also updating at any timing. Steps S1 and S2 correspond to a map generating process.

[0041] The linking unit 132 acquires input information for identifying the pile to be tested (step S3). The input information in step S3 includes the lot number of the pile and the position information of the display terminal. The lot number is input by an operator on-site using the display terminal. The input information in step S3 may further include the attitude information of the display terminal. The linking unit 132 links the lot number with the pile corresponding to the position information of the display terminal using a three-dimensional map (step S4). Here, the lot number may be directly input by the operator on the three-dimensional map for linking. The linking unit 132 outputs a barcode that is read by the test machine and enables the test machine to automatically transmit the test results to the management device (step S5). In this embodiment, the linking unit 132 issues a barcode, but it is not limited to a barcode as long as it is an identification code that can be read by the test machine and can individually identify the pile. The operator assigns a lot number to each of the multiple piles and performs a sampling test. Although the lot number is a number in this embodiment, it may be an identification code given to the smallest unit that compiles a predetermined quantity of products (granular materials, etc.), such as a code consisting of letters or a combination of letters and numbers. The identification code is used not only for sampling tests but also for tasks such as dispensing.

[0042] The worker reads the barcode displayed on the display terminal with the reader of the testing machine. The worker uses the testing machine to perform a sampling test to test the quality of the granular material obtained from the mountain. The testing machine may perform a grain size test of the sample, a quality test of chemical components, etc. The linking unit 132 acquires the sampling test result automatically transmitted from the testing machine in association with the barcode (step S6). The linking unit 132 also links the sampling test result with the lot number given to the mountain and the information of the mountain already associated therewith (step S7). Here, the worker may input at least a part of the information such as the variety, manufacturing date, manufacturing history, retention period, precipitation during the retention period, amount of water sprayed during the retention period, amount of chemical sprayed, and mountain temperature to the testing machine. In this case, these pieces of information can also be automatically transmitted to the management device as the sampling test results. Steps S3 to S7 correspond to the linking process. Here, in the linking process, the shipping (delivery) information is also linked based on the commonality of the lot number or variety.

[0043] Also, while working on-site, for example, a worker uses the display terminal to capture an image of the mountain about which he or she wants to obtain information, and selects it. The output unit 134 acquires input information for identifying the selected mountain (step S8). The input information in step S8 includes position information and attitude information of the display terminal. The output unit 134 identifies the mountain toward which the display terminal is pointed (the selected mountain) based on the 3D map and the position information and attitude information of the display terminal, and outputs information about the selected mountain (step S9). Steps S8 and S9 correspond to the output process. The worker can check information such as the lot number of the mountain linked to the image of the selected mountain and the sampling test results on the display terminal.

[0044] During the putting-away operation, the worker selects the pile to be put away by capturing an image of the pile using the display terminal. The worker also uses the display terminal to give an instruction to execute a judgment. The judgment unit 133 acquires the instruction to execute a judgment (step S10). Similarly to step S8, the judgment unit 133 also acquires input information for identifying the pile to be put away. The judgment unit 133 acquires at least one change in the volume and weight of the pile to be put away and the shipping amount of the pile to be put away (step S11). The judgment unit 133 then compares the change in the volume and the weight with the shipping amount to judge the correctness of the shipment (step S12). The output unit 134 outputs the judgment result for the pile to be put away (step S13). Steps S10 to S13 correspond to the judgment process.

[0045] Here, in the judgment step, it may be judged whether the target pile can be shipped and whether the shipping amount is correct. For example, based on the shipping information, the shipping (dispatch) destination, the reference value and reference item of the granular material to be dispatched to the shipping destination, etc. may be set in advance. The reference value may be set for, for example, the particle size, the quality, the retention period, etc. Also, the reference item may be, for example, whether a sampling test has been performed, whether the manufacturing history has been recorded, etc. If the reference value and the reference item for dispatching to the shipping destination are met, the judgment result may be "pass". If the reference value or the reference item for dispatching to the shipping destination is not met, the judgment result may be "fail". Also, in the case of "pass", the quantity (weight) after the dispatch operation may be automatically calculated. Here, if there is an abnormality, such as a difference from the expected quantity (weight) in the calculation, a judgment result (alert) of erroneous shipment may be displayed.

[0046] As described above, the management method and management device according to the present embodiment can perform appropriate and efficient inventory management by generating a 3D map of piles of granular materials and the like and linking information about the piles to the 3D map through the above-mentioned configuration and process. In addition, by displaying information on a display terminal at the site (the storage area where the piles are located), workers can immediately check information useful for their work. For example, workers can check the piles to be removed at the site, and can also manage the inventory amount of granular materials and the like. In addition, the management method and management device according to the present embodiment enable traceability (understanding and tracking of inventory status) of granular materials and the like. For example, by performing the above-mentioned judgment at the time of shipping granular materials and the like, it becomes possible to notice mistakes in the piles to be shipped and unexpected changes in inventory (misshipment).

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications or corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or each step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executed by a processor included in the device or a storage medium on which a program is recorded. It should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 131 Map Generation Unit 132 Stringing section 133 Judgment section 134 Output section

Claims

1. A management method for managing information on a plurality of piles of granular or powdery materials, comprising the steps of: a map generation step of generating a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the plurality of mountains; a linking step of linking the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; and an output step of outputting information about a target mountain to be displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain when the display terminal is pointed at a target mountain among the plurality of mountains.

2. the map generating step generates the three-dimensional map based on measurement data of the plurality of peaks measured by a shape measuring device; The management method according to claim 1 , wherein the linking step calculates at least one of a volume and a weight of each of the plurality of piles based on the measurement data.

3. The map generating step includes updating the three-dimensional map based on the measurement data measured at any timing, The management method according to claim 2 , wherein the linking step updates at least one of a volume and a weight of each of the plurality of piles based on the measurement data.

4. The management method according to claim 3, further comprising a determination step of determining whether the shipment is correct by comparing at least one of a change in volume and a change in weight of the pile to be removed with a shipping amount of the pile to be removed.

5. The management method according to claim 1 , wherein the linking step links at least one of volume, weight, product type, lot number, sampling test result, shipping information, and manufacturing history as the information on the multiple piles.

6. A management device for managing information on a plurality of piles of granular or powdery materials, comprising: a map generator for generating a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the mountains; a linking unit that links the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; a management device comprising: an output unit that outputs information about a target mountain to be displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain when the display terminal is pointed at the target mountain among the plurality of mountains.

Images