Construction assistance system, construction assistance method, and construction assistance program

Abstract

To provide a construction assistance system, a construction assistance method, and a construction assistance program for appropriately assisting construction.SOLUTION: A management server 20 of a construction assistance system A1 comprises a control unit 21 connected to a construction plan storage unit 22. The control unit 21 is configured to: specify, using the construction plan storage unit 22, construction details to be performed at a construction site; obtain site condition of the construction site; determine, based on the construction details and the site condition, a manned machine 40a or an unmanned machine 40b for use in the construction; and output a construction instruction to the manned machine 40a or the unmanned machine 40b according to the determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a construction support system, a construction support method, and a construction support program for performing construction by a plurality of construction machines.

Background Art

[0002] In construction work such as construction, many construction machines are used. For this reason, a construction management system for managing construction machines has been studied (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The construction management system disclosed in this Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of construction machines that perform work by autonomous operation at a construction site, a management device that can be operated by an operator, and a platform in which the plurality of construction machines and the management device are communicably connected. Each construction machine transmits the acquired self-position to the platform. The management device transmits the safety priorities for the plurality of construction machines to the platform. The platform determines whether an emergency stop is required for each construction machine based on the self-position and safety priority of each construction machine during the work of each construction machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In particular, at a large-scale construction site, it is necessary to use many construction machines. In this case, since the site conditions and construction content are diverse, it is difficult to perform construction on all construction machines by autonomous operation using drones. For this reason, at a single construction site, drones by autonomous operation and manned machines operated by an operator are used in combination. Here, efficient construction cannot be achieved unless the combined use of drones and manned machines is managed accurately.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The construction support system for solving the above problems includes a control unit connected to a construction plan storage unit. Then, the control unit uses the construction plan storage unit to identify the construction content at the construction site, acquires the site situation at the construction site, determines a manned aircraft or an unmanned aircraft to be used for construction based on the construction content and the site situation, and outputs a construction instruction to the manned aircraft or the unmanned aircraft according to the determination.

Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, accurate construction can be supported.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a construction support system, a construction support method, and a construction support program are embodied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In this embodiment, it will be described as a construction support system used for the management of construction machinery used at the construction site of a dam construction project.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the construction support system A1 uses a management device 10, a monitoring device 15, a management server 20, a weather information site 30, a terrain information site 32, and a construction machine 40 that are interconnected by a network. The construction machine 40 includes a manned aircraft 40a and an unmanned aircraft 40b.

[0010] The manned aircraft 40a is a construction machine that is operated by an operator who boards the construction machine 40 at the construction site. The drone 40b is a construction machine that is not operated by an operator at the construction site. This drone 40b performs autonomous operation to execute the instructed construction work through sensing such as obtaining position information and recognizing the surrounding environment. Note that this also includes the case where an operator operates the drone 40b remotely. This construction machine 40 includes shovels such as backhoes, various cranes such as crawler cranes, and transport machines such as dump trucks.

[0011] (Description of Hardware Configuration) Using FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the information processing device H10 that constitutes the management device 10, the monitoring device 15, the management server 20, the weather information site 30, the terrain information site 32, and the construction machine 40 will be described. The information processing device H10 includes a communication device H11, an input device H12, a display device H13, a storage device H14, and a processor H15. Note that this hardware configuration is an example, and it is also possible to be realized by other hardware.

[0012] The communication device H11 is an interface that establishes a communication path with other devices and executes data transmission and reception. The input device H12 is a device that accepts input of various information, such as a mouse or a keyboard. The display device H13 is a display or the like that displays various information.

[0013] The storage device H14 is a storage device that stores data and various programs for executing the various functions of the management device 10, the monitoring device 15, the management server 20, the weather information site 30, the terrain information site 32, and the construction machine 40.

[0014] Processor H15 is a device (such as a CPU or MPU) that controls each process in the management device 10, the monitoring device 15, the management server 20, the weather information site 30, the terrain information site 32, and the construction machine 40 by using programs and data stored in the storage device H14. This processor H15 expands the program stored in a ROM or the like into a RAM and executes various processes for each process. Note that the processor H15 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, an application-specific integrated circuit).

[0015] That is, the processor H15 can be configured as follows. [1] One or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software) [2] One or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of various processes, or [3] A combination thereof, including circuitry The processor includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memories store program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0016] (System Configuration) Next, each function of the construction support system A1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The management device 10 is a computer terminal used by the manager of the construction site.

[0017] The monitoring device 15 is a computer terminal for managing the terrain conditions at a construction site. This monitoring device 15 uses a drone, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that flies by remote control or automatic piloting. This monitoring device 15 is equipped with a sensor that measures the shape of an object using laser light, sound waves, etc. in order to measure the current terrain of the construction site in three dimensions. Laser scan type, time-of-flight type, and photogrammetry type can be used. In this embodiment, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which measures the distance and shape to an object using laser light, is used.

[0018] The management server 20 is a computer system that supports the management of construction machinery used at a construction site. This management server 20 includes a control unit 21, a construction plan storage unit 22, a procurement plan storage unit 23, and a current terrain storage unit 24.

[0019] The control unit 21 supports the management of construction machinery at a construction site. For this purpose, the control unit 21 executes a construction support program to execute management steps, determination steps, instruction steps, etc. And by executing this program, the control unit 21 functions as a management unit 211, a determination unit 212, and an instruction unit 213.

[0020] The management unit 211 executes a process of managing the determination unit 212 and the instruction unit 213. The determination unit 212 executes a determination process for a manned area that uses a manned aircraft 40a and an unmanned area that uses an unmanned aircraft 40b for each area of the construction site. The determination unit 212 holds manned-unmanned determination information for determining that "only the manned aircraft 40a is applicable" or "either the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b is applicable" according to the construction content. Furthermore, the determination unit 212 holds score information for scoring the response with the manned aircraft 40a and the response with the unmanned aircraft 40b according to the site situation. The instruction unit 213 executes a process of giving construction instructions to the manned aircraft 40a and the unmanned aircraft 40b. This instruction unit 213 holds a route prediction model. This route prediction model is a model that predicts the operation routes of the unmanned aircraft 40b by using machine learning with the terrain information of the unmanned area to be constructed, the construction content, and the number of available unmanned aircraft 40b as inputs. This route prediction model is generated using past construction results determined to be appropriate as teacher information. Also, the instruction unit 213 holds the position information of the storage locations of the unmanned aircraft 40b.

[0021] Construction plan storage unit 22 records construction management data. This construction management data is recorded when construction plan information regarding the process of the construction work is registered. The construction management data records information regarding the site ID, location, area ID, process ID, date, and time zone.

[0022] The site ID is information regarding an identifier for specifying the construction site. The location is information regarding the location (latitude and longitude) for specifying this construction site. The area ID is an identifier for specifying each area (area) obtained by dividing this construction site into a plurality of areas.

[0023] The process ID is an identifier for specifying the process performed at this construction site. The date data is information regarding the date on which this process is executed. The time zone data is information regarding the time zone in which this process is executed on this date.

[0024] Procurement plan storage unit 23 records procurement management data regarding available construction machines 40. This procurement management data is recorded when a procurement plan is registered. This procurement management data records information regarding the site ID, date, model, vendor, procurement cost, and number of units.

[0025] The site ID is an identifier for specifying the construction site. The date is information regarding the date on which this construction machine is used.

[0026] The model type is information regarding the type of construction machinery to be used according to the construction content. The vendor is information regarding the business operator that provides this construction machinery. The procurement cost is information regarding the cost for using this construction machinery. The quantity is information regarding the number of units of this construction machinery that can be procured.

[0027] In the current terrain memory unit 24, site condition management data regarding the current terrain of the construction site is recorded. This site condition management data is recorded when information regarding the terrain of the construction site is acquired from the monitoring device 15. In this site condition management data, the year, month, day, site ID, area ID, and information regarding the condition are recorded.

[0028] The year, month, and day are information regarding the year, month, and day when the use of the construction machinery is planned. The site ID is information regarding the identifier for specifying the construction site.

[0029] The area ID is information regarding the identifier for specifying the process performed at this construction site. The condition is information regarding the three-dimensional current terrain of this area (undulations of the ground surface, embankment condition, cutting condition, leveling condition, etc.). From this current terrain, the progress status of the construction (completed or uncompleted areas) can be grasped.

[0030] The weather information site 30 is a computer system that provides information regarding the weather in the area where the construction site is located. In this embodiment, future weather information for a predetermined period is acquired from the weather information site 30.

[0031] The terrain information site 32 is a computer system that provides mesh data regarding the geographical information of the surrounding area of the construction site. In this embodiment, by using the website of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan as the terrain information site 32, three-dimensional digital data such as the terrain (undulations and shape of the ground surface) is obtained.

[0032] (Construction Support Process) Using FIG. 3, the construction support process will be described. Here, first, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes a process of acquiring the construction site situation (step S11). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 acquires the position information (latitude, longitude) of the construction site to be managed from the construction plan storage unit 22, and acquires the weather information of the area including this latitude and longitude from the weather information site 30. Further, the management unit 211 acquires the mesh data of the area including this latitude and longitude from the terrain information site 32. Further, the management unit 211 acquires the current terrain recorded in the current terrain storage unit 24 from the monitoring device 15.

[0033] Next, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes a manned / unmanned determination process for each area (step S12). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 acquires the construction content for each area on the work day from the construction plan storage unit 22. Then, the determination unit 212 determines the manned aircraft 40a and the unmanned aircraft 40b according to the construction content. In this case, first, using the manned / unmanned determination information, it is determined whether "only the manned aircraft 40a is applicable" or "either the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b is applicable". Here, the area with the construction content where "only the manned aircraft 40a is applicable" is determined as the manned area.

[0034] Furthermore, for the area with the construction content where "either the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b is applicable", it is determined using the weather information acquired from the weather information site 30, the terrain information (mesh data, current information) acquired from the terrain information site 32 and the current terrain storage unit 24. For example, using the score information, scoring for determining the manned aircraft 40a and the unmanned aircraft 40b is performed based on the weather information and the terrain information.

[0035] In this case, when it is determined that the weather in the weather information is bad and the visibility by the operator is narrow, the score of the unmanned aircraft 40b is increased. Also, in the terrain of the terrain information, when it is determined that the difficulty of construction according to the construction content is high, the score of the manned aircraft 40a is increased. In this case, scoring may be performed according to the area size, slope, and firmness of the ground surface using the terrain information.

[0036] And, in the area of the construction content where "either the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b is possible", the area where the score of the unmanned aircraft 40b is higher than the score of the manned aircraft 40a is determined as the unmanned area. On the other hand, the area where the score of the unmanned aircraft 40b is less than or equal to the score of the manned aircraft 40a is determined as the unmanned area. Furthermore, in the procurement plan storage unit 23, the unmanned aircraft 40b that can be procured on the working day is specified and assigned to each area. By this scoring, a procurable manned aircraft 40a or unmanned aircraft 40b is allocated for each area.

[0037] Next, for the manned area, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes the instruction process for the manned area (step S13). Specifically, the instruction unit 213 of the control unit 21 instructs the construction content to the manned aircraft 40a operating in the manned area. On the other hand, for the unmanned area, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes the instruction process for the unmanned area (step S14). This process will be described later.

[0038] (Instruction process for unmanned area) Next, the instruction process for the unmanned area will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0039] Here, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes the operation route setting process for each unmanned area (step S21). Specifically, the instruction unit 213 of the control unit 21 sets the operation route of the unmanned aircraft 40b according to the construction content based on the current terrain recorded in the current terrain memory unit 24. Here, the optimal operation route of the unmanned aircraft 40b is predicted using the terrain information of the construction target unmanned area, the construction content, and the number of unmanned aircraft 40b assigned to this unmanned area in the route prediction model.

[0040] Next, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes setting processing for implementing a process for each unmanned area (step S22). Specifically, the instruction unit 213 of the control unit 21 instructs each drone 40b about the operation route and the construction content.

[0041] Next, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes registration processing for construction information (step S23). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 acquires the progress status of the work from the drone 40b. In this case, the management unit 211 acquires terrain information obtained by sensing such as acquisition of position information and recognition of the surrounding environment from the drone 40b. Then, the management unit 211 updates the current terrain in the current terrain storage unit 24.

[0042] Next, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes determination processing as to whether to end (step S24). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 determines whether the current terrain in the current terrain storage unit 24 has become the target terrain shape.

[0043] If it is determined that it is not the end (in the case of "NO" in step S24), the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes setting processing for the operation route for each unmanned area (step S21). In this case, the instruction unit 213 of the control unit 21 re-sets the operation route for the area where the construction has not been performed using the current terrain updated in the current terrain storage unit 24.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the end (in the case of "YES" in step S24), the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes movement processing to the storage location (step S25). Specifically, the instruction unit 213 of the control unit 21 instructs each drone 40b about the return route to the storage location.

[0045] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes acquisition processing of the construction site situation (step S11). Thereby, the situation of the construction site can be grasped.

[0046] (2) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes manned / unmanned determination processing for each area (step S12). Thereby, according to the construction content, the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b can be allocated. Also, according to the on-site situation at the construction site, the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b can be allocated. For example, according to the weather information, the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b with good work efficiency can be specified. Also, according to the terrain information, the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b with good work efficiency can be specified.

[0047] (3) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes instruction processing for the manned area (step S13). Thereby, the operator of the manned aircraft 40a can be instructed about the construction area and the construction content.

[0048] (4) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes driving route setting processing for each unmanned area (step S21). Thereby, the unmanned aircraft 40b can perform construction efficiently.

[0049] (5) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes process execution setting processing for each unmanned area (step S22). Thereby, the unmanned aircraft 40b can be instructed to perform construction.

[0050] (6) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes registration processing of construction information (step S23). Thereby, the construction situation by the unmanned aircraft 40b can be grasped.

[0051] (7) In this embodiment, when it is determined that it is not the end (when "NO" in step S24), the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes driving route setting processing for each unmanned area (step S21). Thereby, according to the current terrain situation, an appropriate driving route can be instructed to the unmanned aircraft 40b.

[0052] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range. · In the above embodiment, it is used for the management of construction machinery used at the construction site of dam construction work. The construction site is not limited to dam construction work.

[0053] · In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes manned / unmanned determination processing for each area (step S12). Here, weather information and terrain information (mesh data, current situation information) are used, but the information used for determination is not limited to these. Some of these or other information may be used. For example, considering the procurement cost of the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b, the determination may be made with cost priority. In this case, the respective procurement costs when using the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b are calculated from the required time according to the construction content. Then, for the area with the construction content where "either the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b is possible", the one with the lower procurement cost is selected. Also, considering the working hours of the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b, the determination may be made with construction period priority. For example, when the construction period is behind schedule for the construction plan, the one with the earlier end time when using the manned aircraft 40a or the unmanned aircraft 40b may be selected. In this case, for the end time when using the manned aircraft 40a, the working hours of each operator are considered. On the other hand, for the unmanned aircraft 40b, there are fewer restrictions on the working hours of the operator. For example, autonomous operation by the unmanned aircraft 40b is possible even at night.

[0054] · In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes driving route setting processing for each unmanned area (step S21). Here, a route prediction model is used. The method of setting the driving route is not limited to the case of using machine learning.

[0055] · In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes setting processing for implementing a process for each unmanned area (step S22). Here, the administrator may be prompted for confirmation. In this case, the management device 10 used by the administrator is output with an operation plan to prompt for approval. This operation plan includes information regarding the flight path of the drone 40b for each unmanned area. · In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management server 20 executes registration processing for construction information (step S23). This construction information (topographic information) may be acquired from the monitoring device 15.

[0056] Next, the technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment and the alternative example are appended below together with their effects.

[0057] (a) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects either a drone or a manned aircraft using topographic information of the construction area. (b) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires the topographic information from a topographic information site.

[0058] (c) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires the topographic information from an unmanned aerial vehicle. (d) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects either a drone or a manned aircraft using weather information of the construction area.

[0059] (e) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the flight path of the drone using topographic information of the construction area. (f) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects either a drone or a manned aircraft using weather information of the construction area.

[0060] (g) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects either a drone or a manned aircraft according to the available numbers of manned aircraft and drones. (h) The construction support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects either a drone or a manned aircraft according to the construction period.

Explanation of Signs

[0061] A1… Construction support system, 10… Management device, 15… Monitoring device, 20… Management server, 21… Control unit, 211… Management section, 212… Judgment section, 213… Instruction section, 22… Construction plan storage section, 23… Procurement plan storage section, 24… Site condition information storage section, 30… Weather information site, 32… Topographic information site, 40… Construction machinery, 40a… Manned aircraft, 40b… Drone.

Claims

1. A construction support system comprising a control unit connected to a construction plan memory unit, wherein the control unit identifies the construction content of the construction site using the construction plan memory unit, acquires the site conditions of the construction site, determines a manned aircraft or an unmanned aircraft to be used for construction based on the construction content and the site conditions, and outputs a construction instruction to the manned aircraft or the unmanned aircraft according to the determination. A construction support system.

2. A method for performing construction support using a construction support system comprising a control unit connected to a construction plan memory unit, wherein the control unit identifies the construction content of the construction site using the construction plan memory unit, acquires the site conditions of the construction site, determines a manned aircraft or an unmanned aircraft to be used for construction based on the construction content and the site conditions, and outputs a construction instruction to the manned aircraft or the unmanned aircraft according to the determination. A construction support method.

3. A program for performing construction support using a construction support system comprising a control unit connected to a construction plan memory unit, wherein the control unit is caused to identify the construction content of the construction site using the construction plan memory unit, acquire the site conditions of the construction site, determine a manned aircraft or an unmanned aircraft to be used for construction based on the construction content and the site conditions, and function as means for outputting a construction instruction to the manned aircraft or the unmanned aircraft according to the determination. A construction support program.

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