Work machine management method, work machine management system, and work machine management program

Abstract

To support determination of the order of priority of work machines for which operation should be requested to achieve a target amount of work in farm work.SOLUTION: A work machine management method includes the steps of: acquiring position information representing the latest position obtained by measuring the position of a work machine (2) lastly, and machine information including at least operation information representing the operating state of the work machine (S1); determining, on the basis of the operation information for each work machine, whether the work machine is an operating work machine currently in operation, an operated work machine having operated on that day and currently not in operation, or a prepared work machine not in operation on that day and having operated in a period from a predetermined days before that day until the previous day (S2); and outputting, as information for a user to determine the order of priority of the work machines for which operation should be requested to achieve a predetermined target amount of work, information representing the latest position of the operating work machine, information representing the latest position of the operated work machine, and information representing the latest position of the prepared work machine (S6).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine management method, a work machine management system, and a work machine management program, and can be suitably used, for example, in a work machine management method, a work machine management system, and a work machine management program for managing work machines that perform agricultural work. [Background technology]

[0002] The efficiency of agricultural work can vary greatly depending on changes in weather, the condition of the crops being harvested, etc. Furthermore, there is a demand for managing the operating status of multiple agricultural machines so that the amount of work done by the machines can be increased or decreased in real time according to the operating status of facilities such as factories that process harvested crops.

[0003] In relation to the above, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3685090) discloses a method for outputting the number of operating construction machines. The method for outputting the number of operating construction machines of Patent Document 1 displays the number of operating construction machines operating at multiple construction sites for each model of construction machine on a map including the construction sites. This allows users to know which construction machines are operating in which areas.

[0004] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 cannot grasp the fact that construction machinery that should be in operation is taking a break or has stopped working.Furthermore, the invention of Patent Document 1 cannot grasp the operating capacity, which indicates the amount of work that can be obtained when non-operating construction machinery is operated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3685090 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a work machine management method, a work machine management system, and a work machine management program for supporting the determination of the priority order of work machines that should be requested to operate in order to achieve a target workload in agricultural work. Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means for solving the problems will be explained below using the numbers used in the (Mode for carrying out the invention). These numbers are added to clarify the correspondence between the description in the (Claims) and the (Mode for carrying out the invention). However, these numbers should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention described in the (Claims).

[0008] According to one embodiment, the work machine management method includes an information acquisition unit (311, 511) acquiring position information representing the latest position obtained by last measuring the position of the work machine (2) and machine information including at least operation information representing the operation status of the work machine (2) (S1); a determination unit (312, 512) determining, based on the operation information, whether each of the work machines is an operating work machine that is currently operating, an operated work machine that operated on the day and is not currently operating, or a prepared work machine that is not operating on the day and operated during the period from a predetermined number of days ago to the previous day (S2); and an output unit (314, 514) outputting information representing the latest position of an operating work machine, information representing the latest position of an operating work machine, and information representing the latest position of a prepared work machine as information for determining the priority order of work machines that a user should request to operate in order to achieve a predetermined target workload (S6).

[0009] According to one embodiment, the work machine management system (1) includes an information acquisition unit (311, 511), a determination unit (312, 512), and an output unit (314, 514). The information acquisition unit (311, 511) acquires position information indicating the latest position obtained by last measuring the position of the work machine, and machine information including at least operation information indicating the operation status of the work machine (2). The determination unit (312, 512) determines, based on the operation information, for each of the work machines, whether it is an operating work machine that is currently operating, an operated work machine that operated on the day and is not currently operating, or a prepared work machine that is not operating on the day and has operated during the period from a predetermined number of days ago to the previous day. The output section (314, 514) outputs information representing the latest position of an operating work machine, information representing the latest position of an operating work machine, and information representing the latest position of a prepared work machine as information for a user to determine the priority order of work machines that should be requested to operate in order to achieve a specified target workload.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the work machine management program is executed to realize a predetermined process. This process includes acquiring (S1) position information representing the latest position obtained by last measuring the position of the work machine (2) and machine information including at least operation information representing the operation state of the work machine (2), judging for each work machine based on the operation information whether it is an operating work machine that is currently operating, an operated work machine that is operating on the day and is not currently operating, or a prepared work machine that is not operating on the day and has operated in the period from a predetermined number of days ago to the previous day (S6), and outputting by the output unit information representing the latest position of an operating work machine, information representing the latest position of an operating work machine, and information representing the latest position of a prepared work machine as information for judging the priority order of work machines that a user should request to operate in order to achieve a predetermined target workload. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one embodiment, the work machine management system can assist a user in understanding the operating status and operating capacity of a work machine during agricultural work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a work machine management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of the in-vehicle terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a configuration of a work machine management method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map according to an embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a table illustrating an example of a graph according to one embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a table illustrating an example of a frame according to one embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a table illustrating an example of a pictogram according to one embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a table illustrating an example display according to one embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a table illustrating another example of a display according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a configuration of a work machine management method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment for carrying out a work machine management method, a work machine management system, and a work machine management program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] (First embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, a work machine management system 1 according to one embodiment includes an on-vehicle terminal 20 mounted on a work machine 2, a terminal 3, and a server 5. The work machine 2 is a vehicle that performs agricultural work in a field 9, such as a harvester, a tractor, or a transplanter. The on-vehicle terminal 20 can be connected to a network 4, for example, by wireless communication using an antenna 232. The terminal 3 can be connected to the network 4, for example, by wired or wireless communication. The terminal 3 can acquire various pieces of information substantially in real time from the on-vehicle terminal 20 performing work in the field 9, via the network 4. The terminal 3 is, for example, a tablet-type information terminal with wireless communication capabilities.

[0015] The server 5 and the terminal 3 may have overlapping configurations for implementing some functions. Below, a case where the terminal 3 and the server 5 have overlapping similar configurations will be described, but the overlapping configurations can be omitted from the terminal 3 or the server 5.

[0016] 2, the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 according to an embodiment may have a configuration as a so-called computer. The vehicle-mounted terminal 20 includes a bus 200, a calculation device 210, a storage device 220, an input / output device 230, and an operating status sensor 240. The calculation device 210, the storage device 220, the input / output device 230, and the operating status sensor 240 are connected to each other via the bus 200 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0017] The arithmetic device 210 virtually includes a transmission unit 211. The transmission unit 211 is a functional block that realizes a predetermined function by the arithmetic device 210 executing a transmission program 222. The transmission program 222 is stored in the storage device 220. The transmission program 222 may be read out from the recording medium 221 and stored in the storage device 220, or may be obtained from the outside via the input / output device 230 and stored in the storage device 220.

[0018] The input / output device 230 includes a communication device 231, a positioning device 233, an output device 234, and an input device 235. The communication device 231 can be connected to the network 4 via an antenna 232, and can communicate with the terminal 3 and / or the server 5 via the network 4. The antenna 232 may be a part of the on-board terminal 20, or may be a part of a device other than the on-board terminal 20, such as a work machine 2. The positioning device 233 acquires position information indicating its own position by using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The position information acquired by the positioning device 233 indicates the position of the on-board terminal 20, and therefore indicates the position of the work machine 2 on which the on-board terminal 20 is mounted. The output device 234 includes, for example, a display device or a lamp, and may output any information indicating the state of the on-board terminal 20. The input device 235 includes, for example, a switch or a button, and may be used by a user to operate the on-board terminal 20.

[0019] The operating condition sensor 240 receives a work machine condition signal from the work machine 2 that is indicative of the condition of the work machine 2 .

[0020] 3, the terminal 3 according to one embodiment may have a configuration as a so-called computer. The terminal 3 includes a bus 30, a calculation device 31, a storage device 32, and an input / output device 33. The calculation device 31, the storage device 32, and the input / output device 33 are connected to each other via the bus 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0021] The calculation device 31 virtually includes an information acquisition unit 311, a determination unit 312, a detection unit 313, and an output unit 314. Each of the information acquisition unit 311, the determination unit 312, the detection unit 313, and the output unit 314 is a functional block that realizes a predetermined function by the calculation device 31 executing the work machine management program 321.

[0022] The storage device 32 stores a work machine management program 321 and map information 322. The map information 322 includes, for example, information indicating the position and range of the field 9. The work machine management program 321 and the map information 322 may be read from the recording medium 320 and stored in the storage device 32, or may be obtained from the outside via the input / output device 33 and stored in the storage device 32.

[0023] The input / output device 33 includes a communication device 331, a display device 332, and an input device 333. The communication device 331 can be connected to the network 4 via wired communication and / or wireless communication, and can communicate with the in-vehicle terminal 20 and / or the server 5 via the network 4. The display device 332 visibly displays the result determined by the determination unit 312 of the arithmetic device 31. The input device 333 includes, for example, a touch pad or a button, and may be used by a user to operate the terminal 3. The display device 332 and the input device 333 may be implemented in the terminal 3 as an integrated touch panel.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, the server 5 according to an embodiment has the same components as the terminal 3 shown in Fig. 3. The server 5 according to an embodiment may have a configuration as a so-called computer. The server 5 has a bus 50, a calculation device 51, a storage device 52, and an input / output device 53. The calculation device 51, the storage device 52, and the input / output device 53 are connected to each other via the bus 50 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0025] The arithmetic device 51 virtually includes an information acquisition unit 511, a determination unit 512, a detection unit 513, and an output unit 514. Each of the information acquisition unit 511, the determination unit 512, the detection unit 513, and the output unit 514 is a functional block that realizes a predetermined function by the arithmetic device 51 executing a work machine management program 521.

[0026] The storage device 52 stores a work machine management program 521 and map information 522. The map information 522 indicates at least the position and range of the field 9. The work machine management program 521 and the map information 522 may be read from the recording medium 520 and stored in the storage device 52, or may be obtained from the outside via the input / output device 53 and stored in the storage device 52.

[0027] The input / output device 53 includes a communication device 531, a display device 532, and an input device 533. The communication device 531 can be connected to the network 4 via wired communication and / or wireless communication, and can communicate with the in-vehicle terminal 20 and / or the terminal 3 via the network 4. The display device 532 visibly displays and outputs the result determined by the determination unit 512 of the arithmetic device 51. The input device 533 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and may be used by the user to operate the server 5. The display device 532 and the input device 533 may be implemented in the server 5 as an integrated touch panel.

[0028] In order to explain the operation of the construction machine management system 1 according to one embodiment, an example configuration of a construction machine management method according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5. Here, the example configuration of the construction machine management method according to one embodiment is also an example of the operation of the construction machine management system 1 according to one embodiment. The flowchart of Fig. 5 also shows an example configuration of a construction machine management program 321 according to one embodiment.

[0029] The flowchart in Fig. 5 starts, for example, when a user operates the server 5 to start up the work machine management program 521. When the flowchart in Fig. 5 starts, step S1 is executed.

[0030] In step S1, the arithmetic device 51 of the server 5 executes the work machine management program 521 to realize the function of the information acquisition unit 511. The information acquisition unit 511 acquires machine information from the on-board terminal 20 of the work machine 2 via the network 4 or the like. The information acquisition unit 511 may acquire respective machine information from a plurality of on-board terminals 20 mounted on a plurality of work machines 2, respectively.

[0031] Here, the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 may transmit the machine information without being requested by the server 5. As an example, the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 may continue to transmit the machine information regardless of whether the server 5 is ready to receive the machine information.

[0032] The machine information includes at least operation information that indicates the operation state of the work machine 2. The operation state of the work machine 2 is classified as in operation or not in operation. As an example, if the work machine 2 is in a key-off state, it is not in operation, and if the work machine 2 is in a key-on state, it is in operation. A work machine 2 that is in operation is called an operating work machine. A work machine 2 that is not in operation is called a non-operating work machine. The non-operating operation state is further classified as whether or not it is operable. Of the non-operating work machines, a work machine 2 that has no information registered in the server 5 indicating that it is inoperable due to a breakdown, repair, or the like, and is therefore presumed to be operable is called an operable work machine. The non-operating and operable operation state is further classified as whether or not it has a track record of operation on the day. An operating state of not operating, operable, and with a track record of operation on the day is a state in which the work machine 2 has stopped operation after operating on the day. A work machine 2 in such an operating state is called an operating work machine, and represents a work machine 2 that is likely to be able to resume operation on the day. An operating state of not operating, operable, and with no operating record on that day is a state in which there is a relatively high possibility that the machine will be able to operate on that day. As an example, the most recent specified period may be a period from a specified number of days ago to the day before. A work machine 2 in such an operating state is presumed to be ready to operate on the day, and is therefore referred to as a prepared work machine.

[0033] The machine information further includes at least position information representing the latest position of the work machine 2. The latest position of the work machine 2 is the position represented by the position information obtained by last measuring the position of the in-vehicle terminal 20.

[0034] A method for generating machine information in the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 will be described. The arithmetic device 210 of the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 executes the transmission program 222 to realize the function of the transmission unit 211. The transmission unit 211 acquires a work machine status signal indicating the status of the work machine 2 via the operating status sensor 240. The work machine status signal includes, for example, a signal indicating that the work machine 2 is in a key-on state, a signal indicating the travel speed of the work machine 2, a signal indicating whether or not power is being transmitted to a part provided on the work machine 2 that performs agricultural work, and a signal indicating an abnormality such as a failure of the work machine 2. However, if the power supply of the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 is also turned off in conjunction with the power supply when the work machine 2 is in a resting state, the function of the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 to identify that the work machine 2 is in a resting state may also be stopped. In this case, the transmission unit 211 does not need to acquire a signal indicating that the work machine 2 is in a key-off state as part of the work machine status signal. The transmission unit 211 stores the work machine status signal in the storage device 220 in association with status acquisition time information indicating the time at which the work machine status signal was acquired.

[0035] Furthermore, the transmission unit 211 controls the positioning device 233 to acquire position information, and stores the position information in the storage device 220 in association with positioning time information indicating the time when the position information was acquired. The transmission unit 211 may store the work machine status signal and the position information in the storage device 220 in association with the same time.

[0036] The transmission unit 211 repeatedly acquires the operation status information and the location information at each of a plurality of times. As an example, the transmission unit 211 may acquire the operation status information and the location information periodically. As another example, the transmission unit 211 may acquire the operation status information and the location information every minute.

[0037] The on-board terminal 20 may be started in conjunction with the user starting up the work machine 2. When the on-board terminal 20 starts up, the arithmetic device 210 automatically executes the transmission program 222. When the transmission program 222 is executed, the transmission unit 211 automatically starts acquiring the work machine status signal and position information. The transmission unit 211 generates machine information including at least the work machine status signal and the position information, and controls the communication device 231 to transmit the machine information to the information acquisition unit 511 of the server 5.

[0038] The information acquisition unit 511 of the server 5 stores the machine information acquired from the transmission unit 211 of the vehicle-mounted terminal 20 in the storage device 52. A plurality of pieces of machine information acquired at different times are accumulated in the storage device 52.

[0039] After step S1, step S2 is executed. In step S2, the arithmetic device 51 of the server 5 realizes the function of the determination unit 512 by executing the work machine management program 521. The determination unit 512 determines the operating state of the work machine 2. More specifically, the determination unit 512 determines whether the work machine 2 is operating or not operating, by referring to the latest machine information stored in the storage device 52. When the work machine 2 is not operating, the determination unit 512 determines whether the not-operating work machine 2 is operable or not, by referring to the machine information and / or past determination results accumulated in the storage device 52. When the work machine 2 is operable, the determination unit 512 determines whether the operable work machine 2 is already operating or already prepared, by referring to the machine information and / or past determination results accumulated in the storage device 52.

[0040] Furthermore, in step S2, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not the latest position of the work machine 2 is within a predetermined set area. As an example, this set area includes the farm field 9 where work is planned to be performed by the work machine 2, a location such as a factory where work subsequent to this work will be performed, and the area surrounding this farm field 9 and this location. As an example, the range of the set area corresponds to the range displayed on the map 6, which will be described later. The range of the set area may be set by the user operating the terminal 3, etc.

[0041] After step S2, step S3 is executed. In step S3, the calculation device 51 of the server 5 further realizes another function of the determination unit 512 by executing the work machine management program 521. The determination unit 512 records the result of the determination made in step S1 in the storage device 52. Here, the determination unit 512 may record the result of the determination in association with a time represented by time information associated with the operating status information and / or position information included in the machine information referenced to make this determination. In this way, the determination unit 512 can record a plurality of determination results corresponding to a plurality of times in the storage device 52.

[0042] After step S3, step S4 is executed. In step S4, the arithmetic device 51 of the server 5 executes the work machine management program 521 to realize the function of the detection unit 513. The detection unit 513 detects the number of work machines 2 for each operation state. More specifically, the detection unit 513 detects the number of work machines 2 in operation as a first number, and detects the number of work machines 2 not in operation as a second number. Furthermore, the detection unit 513 detects the number of work machines that have been operated among the work machines 2 that are not in operation as a third number, and detects the number of work machines that have been prepared as a fourth number. The detection unit 513 may detect the number of work machines 2 that are within the set area for each operation state. The detection unit 513 may detect the number of all work machines 2 under management for each operation state, regardless of whether they are within the set area or not.

[0043] The detection unit 513 may detect some or all of the first number, second number, third number and fourth number for each group into which the work machines 2 are classified based on a predetermined criterion. Here, the criterion for classifying the work machines 2 may be, for example, the type of the work machine 2, the work capacity of the work machine 2, or the team to which the work machine 2 belongs. The type of the work machine 2 indicates, for example, whether the work machine 2 is a harvester, tractor, transplanter, truck, etc. The work capacity of the work machine 2 indicates, for example, the amount of work per unit time by the work machine 2. The team to which the work machine 2 belongs indicates, for example, which field 9 the work is planned to be performed in.

[0044] The detection unit 513 may classify the work machine 2 based on the identification information of the work machine 2. At this time, the detection unit 513 may read out the identification information of the work machine 2 by referring to the machine information acquired from the work machine 2. Furthermore, at this time, the identification information of the work machine 2 may be stored in the storage device 220 of the in-vehicle terminal 20, and the transmission unit 211 may read out the identification information from the storage device 220, and generate and transmit machine information further including the identification information.

[0045] Here, the arithmetic device 51 of the server 5 realizes the function of the output unit 514 by executing the work machine management program 521. The output unit 514 controls the communication device 531 to output, to the terminal 3, information indicating the result of the determination obtained in step S2 and the result of the detection obtained in step S4.

[0046] After step S4, step S6 is executed. In step S6, the arithmetic device 31 of the terminal 3 executes the work machine management program 321 to realize the function of the output unit 314. The output unit 314 displays the number of work machines 2. More specifically, the output unit 314 controls the display device 332 to output the first number and the second number in a distinguishable manner. Even more specifically, the output unit 314 controls the display device 332 to output the first number, the third number, and the fourth number in a distinguishable manner. At this time, since the sum of the third number and the fourth number is equal to the second number, when the output unit 314 outputs the third number and the fourth number in a distinguishable manner, the output unit 314 is substantially also outputting the second number in a distinguishable manner.

[0047] 6, the output unit 314 may display an image 8 including information 81 indicating a first number of work machines 2, information 82 indicating a third number, and information 83 indicating a fourth number of work machines 2, together with a map 6 and graphics 71, 72, and 73 indicating the latest positions of the work machines 2, on the display device 332. The graphics 71, 72, and 73 are each associated with a work machine 2, and are arranged at a corresponding position on the map 6 of the latest position of the corresponding work machine 2.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 7A, figures 71, 72, and 73 are configured to be distinguishable from one another. Figure 71 represents a work machine 2 that is in operation. Figure 72 represents a work machine 2 that is operable and has a track record of operation on the day, i.e., a work machine 2 that has already been operated. Figure 73 represents a work machine 2 that is operable but has no track record of operation on the day, i.e., a work machine 2 that is prepared.

[0049] Figure 71 is obtained by superimposing frame portion 71A and arrow portion 71B shown in Fig. 7B on pictogram 74A shown in Fig. 7C. Similarly, figure 72 is obtained by superimposing frame portion 72A and arrow portion 72B shown in Fig. 7B on pictogram 74A shown in Fig. 7C. Figure 73 is obtained by superimposing frame portion 73A and arrow portion 73B shown in Fig. 7B on pictogram 74A shown in Fig. 7C.

[0050] The frames 71A, 72A, and 73A are configured to be distinguishable from one another. In the example of Fig. 7B, the frame 71A is represented in black, the frame 72A is represented in hatching, and the frame 73A is represented in white, thereby making the frames 71A, 72A, and 73A distinguishable from one another. However, one embodiment is not limited to this example, and as another example, the frames 71A, 72A, and 73A may be configured in different colors, or may be configured in different shapes.

[0051] It is preferable that the arrow portions 71B, 72B, and 73B are configured so as to be recognized as being integral with the frame portions 71A, 72A, and 73A, respectively. In the example of Fig. 7B, the arrow portion 71B is represented in black like the frame portion 71A, the arrow portion 72B is represented in hatching like the frame portion 72A, and the arrow portion 73B is represented in white like the frame portion 73A.

[0052] Arrow portions 71B, 72B, 73B are formed for the purpose of indicating the position on the map 6 of the work machine 2 corresponding to the figures 71, 72, 73. In the example of Fig. 7A, the tips of 71B, 72B, 73B indicate the position on the map 6 of the work machine 2 corresponding to the figures 71, 72, 73.

[0053] Pictograms 74A, 74B, 74C, and 74D represent the types of work machine 2 corresponding to figures 71, 72, and 73. In the example of Fig. 7C, pictogram 74A represents that the type of work machine 2 is a harvester, pictogram 74B represents that the type of work machine 2 is a tractor equipped with various work machines such as a fertilizer applicator and a chemical sprayer, pictogram 74C represents that the type of work machine 2 is a transplanter, and pictogram 74D represents that the type of work machine 2 is a truck.

[0054] Thus, according to one embodiment, the results of the determination regarding the operating status and position of the work machines 2 can be displayed identifiably on a map 6 as shown in Fig. 6, as information 81 indicating the first number, information 82 indicating the third number, and information 83 indicating the fourth number, and as figures 71, 72, 73 indicating the operating status, type and position of the corresponding work machines 2. This allows the user to easily determine the priority order of the work machines 2 that should be requested to operate in order to more efficiently achieve the day's target workload, and to quickly contact the operator of the work machine 2 that should be requested.

[0055] According to an embodiment, when outputting the results of the determination regarding the operating state and position of the work machine 2, a display other than the map 6 as shown in FIG. 6 may be used.

[0056] The result of the determination may be displayed in the form of a table that lists the operation status of each work machine 2, as shown in FIG. 8A as an example. In the example of FIG. 8A, for each work machine 2, a pictogram, a vehicle identification name, whether or not it has been in operation for a period from a predetermined number of days ago to the current day, if the operation was terminated on the day, the time of the stop and the time that has elapsed since the stop until the present, the distance from the latest position to the factory where the subsequent process of the work is performed, and the response rate of the worker when operation was requested in the past are displayed in the form of a table. For the work machines 2 that are in operation and the work machines 2 that have already been operated, the cells of the operation results for the day may be highlighted. In the example of FIG. 8A, the operation results for the day of the work machines 2 that are in operation are shown with relatively dark hatching, and the operation results for the day of the work machines that have not been operated are shown with relatively light hatching.

[0057] Based on the operating state of the work machines 2, the user can easily determine the priority order of the work machines 2 to be requested to operate in order to more efficiently achieve the target work volume for the day. As a criterion for this determination, for example, an operating work machine (harvester 02, harvester 05) may be given priority over a prepared work machine (harvester 07) that has a track record of operating within the last three days, or, among the operating work machines, a work machine that has been stopped for a shorter time (harvester 05) or a work machine that has been stopped for a longer time (harvester 02) may be given priority. As a criterion for this determination, for example, among the operating or prepared work machines 2, a work machine that is closer to the factory (harvester 08, etc.) may be given priority, or a work machine that has a higher past request response rate (harvester 02, harvester 08, etc.) may be given priority.

[0058] As a modified example of a table that can list the operation status of the work machines 2, as shown in FIG. 8B, the work capacity of each work machine 2 may be displayed, the team to which the work machine belongs may be displayed, or the presence or absence of operation results may be displayed separately for morning and afternoon for a period from a predetermined number of days before to the current day. As the work capacity of the work machine 2, the amount of work per unit time that can be obtained when the work machine 2 is operated may be displayed in stages such as large, medium, and small as shown in FIG. 8B, or as another example, it may be expressed as a more specific numerical value. The team to which the work machine 2 belongs may be displayed as a character string representing the team as shown in FIG. 8B, or as another example, the team may be displayed so as to be distinguished by the background color of the cell. For the work machines 2 that are operating and the work machines 2 that have already operated, the cells of the operation results for the current day may be highlighted separately for morning and afternoon.

[0059] The user can easily determine the priority order of the work machines 2 to be requested to operate in order to more efficiently achieve the target work volume for the day, based on the work capacity and / or the team to which the work machines 2 belong. In addition, the user can grasp in more detail whether the work machines 2 have operated for a specified number of days in the recent past, divided into morning and afternoon.

[0060] (Second embodiment) As a modification of the first embodiment described above, the flowchart in Fig. 5 may be changed to a flowchart shown in Fig. 9. More specifically, step S5 shown in Fig. 9 may be added between step S4 and step S6 shown in the flowchart in Fig. 5.

[0061] Steps S1 to S4 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are respectively similar to steps S1 to S4 in the flowchart of FIG. 5. However, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, step S5 is executed after step S4. In step S5, the arithmetic device 31 of the terminal 3 executes the work machine management program 321 to further realize another function of the output unit 314. The output unit 314 predicts the amount of work. More specifically, it predicts the amount of work that is expected to be obtained additionally when at least some of the work machines 2 already in operation and / or the work machines 2 already prepared are operated. The amount of work expected in such a case is also called the expected amount of work.

[0062] In step S5, the output unit 314 first accepts an input from a user. Here, the user uses the input device 333 of the terminal 3 and / or the input device 533 of the server 5 to select at least some of the already-operated work machines 2 and / or the prepared work machines 2. Next, the output unit 314 calculates the estimated work volume when the selected work machine 2 operates. As an example, the output unit 314 calculates the estimated work volume based on the work volume per unit time of the selected work machine 2 and the time available for work to be performed on the day. Here, the movement trajectory along which the work machine 2 moved for that work is calculated from the position information acquired when the work machine 2 performed work in the past, the working area in which the work machine 2 performed the work is calculated from this movement trajectory, and the work volume per unit time of the work machine 2 is calculated from this working area and the time spent on this work. The amount of work per unit time of the work machine 2 may be included in the machine information transmitted from the on-board terminal 20 mounted on the work machine 2, or may be stored in advance in the storage device 32 of the terminal 3 and / or the storage device 52 of the server 5. The time during which work can be performed on the day may be calculated as the time from the time when the output unit 314 executes step S5 to a predetermined time. This predetermined time may be the time when the work is scheduled to end.

[0063] In the flowchart of FIG. 9, step S6 is executed after step S5. Step S6 of FIG. 9 is almost the same as step S6 of FIG. 5, but differs in the following respects. That is, in addition to the result of the judgment of step S2, the estimated amount of work calculated in step S5 is further displayed. The estimated amount of work may be displayed in the form of map 6 shown in FIG. 6, or in the form of a table shown in FIG. 8A or FIG. 8B.

[0064] (Third embodiment) In the embodiment described above, the number of operating construction machines 2 is referred to as the first number, the number of non-operating construction machines 2 is referred to as the second number, the number of operating construction machines is referred to as the third number, and the number of prepared construction machines is referred to as the fourth number, and information 81 representing the first number, information 82 representing the third number, and information 83 representing the fourth number are displayed on the map 6 shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, as a modified example, information 81 representing the first number, information 82 representing the third number, and information 83 representing the second number are displayed on the map 6 shown in Figure 6.

[0065] According to this embodiment, by looking at the information 83 displayed on the map 6, the user can more easily recognize the number of non-operating construction machines 2, i.e., the sum of the third number of operating construction machines and the fourth number of prepared construction machines.

[0066] (Modification) As an example of the working machine management method according to this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which steps S1 to S4 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are executed by the information acquisition unit 511, the determination unit 512, and the detection unit 513 of the server 5, and steps S5 and S6 are executed by the output unit 314 of the terminal 3, but one embodiment is not limited to this example. In step S1, part or all of the functions of the information acquisition unit 511 of the server 5 may be realized by the information acquisition unit 311 of the terminal 3. In steps S2 and S3, part or all of the functions of the determination unit 512 of the server 5 may be realized by the determination unit 312 of the terminal 3. In step S4, part or all of the functions of the detection unit 513 of the server 5 may be realized by the detection unit 313 of the terminal 3. In steps S5 and S6, part or all of the functions of the output unit 314 of the terminal 3 may be realized by the output unit 514 of the server 5.

[0067] Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the respective features described in the embodiment can be freely combined within the scope of technical compatibility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Work Machine Management System 2. Work Machinery 20 Vehicle-mounted terminal 200 Bus 210 Arithmetic equipment 211 Transmission section 220 Storage device 221 Recording media 222 Transmission Program 230 I / O device 231 Communication Equipment 232 Antenna 233 Positioning Device 234 Output Device 235 Input Device 240 Operating status sensor 3. Terminal 30 Bus 31 Arithmetic unit 311 Information Acquisition Department 312 Judgment section 313 Detection Unit 314 Output section 32 Storage device 320 Recording media 321 Work Machine Management Program 322 Map Information 33 Input / Output Devices 331 Communication Equipment 332 Display device 333 Input Device 4. Network 5 Server 50 Bus 51 Arithmetic unit 511 Information Acquisition Department 512 Judgment section 513 Detection Unit 514 Output section 52 Storage device 520 Recording media 521 Work Machine Management Program 522 Map Information 53 Input / Output Devices 531 Communication Equipment 532 Display device 533 Input Device 6. Map 71, 72, 73 Shapes 71A, 72A, 73A frame 71B, 72B, 73B Arrows 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D pictograms 8 Images 81, 82, 83 Information 9. Field

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit acquires machine information including at least position information representing a latest position obtained by last measuring the position of the work machine and operation information representing an operation state of the work machine; a determination unit, for each of the work machines, based on the operation information, Is it a working machine that is currently in operation? Is it a working machine that was in operation on the day and is not currently in operation? Is the machine in question a prepared work machine that is not in operation on the day, and has been in operation for a specified number of days or more up to the day before? Determining the an output unit outputs information representing the latest position of the operating work machine, information representing the latest position of the operated work machine, and information representing the latest position of the prepared work machine as information for a user to determine the priority order of the work machines to be requested to operate in order to achieve a predetermined target workload; Includes Work machine management method.

2. 2. The work machine management method according to claim 1, The outputting step includes: The output unit further outputs the operation information of each of the work machines as information on a judgment criterion for the user to judge the priority order. Includes Work machine management method.

3. 2. The work machine management method according to claim 1, The outputting step includes: the output unit further outputs information indicating the elapsed time since each of the operating work machines was stopped as information on a judgment criterion for the user to judge the priority order. Includes Work machine management method.

4. 2. The work machine management method according to claim 1, The outputting step includes: the output unit further outputs information indicating a distance from a predetermined position to each of the work machines as information on a judgment criterion for the user to judge the priority order. Includes Work machine management method.

5. 2. The work machine management method according to claim 1, The outputting step includes: The output unit further outputs, as information on a criterion for the user to determine the priority order, information indicating a response rate of a worker who responded to a request to operate each of the work machines in the past. Includes Work machine management method.

6. 2. The work machine management method according to claim 1, The machine information further includes identification information for identifying the work machine, A detection unit classifies the work machines into groups based on the identification information. Further comprising: The groups are classified based on a work capacity that represents an amount of work performed by the work machine per unit time, The outputting step includes: The output unit outputs information representing the work capabilities of each of the work machines as information on a judgment criterion for the user to judge the priority order. Includes Work machine management method.

7. 2. The work machine management method according to claim 1, The machine information further includes identification information for identifying the work machine, A detection unit classifies the work machines into groups based on the identification information. Further comprising: The groups are classified based on the team to which the work machines belong; The outputting step includes: the output unit outputs information indicating the team to which each of the work machines belongs as information on a judgment criterion for the user to judge the priority order. Also includes Work machine management method.

8. an information acquisition unit that acquires machine information including at least position information representing a latest position obtained by last measuring the position of a work machine and operation information representing an operating state of the work machine; For each of the work machines, based on the operation information, Is it a working machine that is currently in operation? Is it a working machine that was in operation on the day and is not currently in operation? Is the machine in question a prepared work machine that is not in operation on the day, and has been in operation for a specified number of days or more up to the day before? A determination unit for determining an output unit that outputs information representing the latest position of the operating work machine, information representing the latest position of the operated work machine, and information representing the latest position of the prepared work machine as information for a user to determine the priority order of the work machines to be requested to operate in order to achieve a predetermined target workload; Equipped Machinery management system.

9. A work machine management program for implementing a predetermined process by executing the work machine management program, The process comprises: Acquiring machine information including at least position information representing a latest position obtained by last measuring the position of a work machine and operation information representing an operation state of the work machine; For each of the work machines based on the operation information, Is it a working machine that is currently in operation? Is it a working machine that was in operation on the day and is not currently in operation? Is the machine in question a prepared work machine that is not in operation on the day, and has been in operation for a specified number of days or more up to the day before? Determining the outputting information representing the latest position of the operating work machine, information representing the latest position of the operated work machine, and information representing the latest position of the prepared work machine as information for a user to determine the priority order of the work machines to be requested to operate in order to achieve a predetermined target workload; Includes Work Machine Management Program.

Images