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

Abstract

To calculate an expected amount of work consisting of only work machines which can be efficiently operated to achieve a work target by counting the number of work machines having operation results within a predetermined period in farm work to exclude work machines which may not be operated due to long-term neglect or the like.SOLUTION: The work machine management method includes acquiring, by an information acquisition unit, machine information including at least operating information representing an operating state of the work machine, detecting, by a detection unit, an operating number representing the number of operable work machines operating within a predetermined period among the work machines based on the operating information, and outputting, by an output unit, information representing the operating number.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 fluctuate significantly 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 performed by these machines can be increased or decreased in real time depending on 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 in Patent Document 1 displays the number of operating construction machines at multiple construction sites, by model of construction machine, on a map including the construction sites. This allows users to understand 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 resting 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 if construction machinery that is not in operation is put into operation. [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 view of the above circumstances, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a work machine management method, work machine management system, and work machine management program for calculating an estimated amount of work consisting only of work machines that can be operated efficiently to achieve work goals by counting the number of work machines that have been in operation within a specified period of time in agricultural work, and excluding work machines that have been left unused for long periods of time and are likely to be inoperable. Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the work machine management method includes an information acquisition unit acquiring machine information including at least operation information representing the operating status of the work machine, a detection unit detecting, based on the operation information, the number of operating machines representing the number of operable work machines that are operating within a specified period of time, and an output unit outputting information representing the number of operating machines.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the work machine management method includes: an information acquisition unit acquiring machine information including at least operation information representing the operating status of the work machine; a detection unit detecting, based on the operation information, an operable number representing the number of operable work machines that have operated within a specified period among the work machines; an output unit outputting information representing the operable number; and the output unit calculating, based on the operable number, an estimated amount of work to be done when at least some of the operable work machines are operating, wherein outputting includes the output unit outputting the estimated amount of work.

[0009] According to one embodiment, a construction machine management system includes an information acquisition unit, a detection unit, and an output unit. The information acquisition unit acquires machine information including at least operation information representing the operating status of the construction machines. The detection unit detects the number of operating machines, which represents the number of operable construction machines that are operating within a predetermined period, based on the operation information. The output unit outputs information representing the number of operating machines. According to one embodiment, a construction machine management system includes an information acquisition unit, a detection unit, and an output unit. The information acquisition unit acquires machine information including at least operation information representing the operating status of the construction machines. The detection unit detects an operable number representing the number of operable work machines that have operated within a predetermined period of time based on the operation information. The output unit outputs information representing the operable number, calculates an estimated work volume when at least some of the operable work machines are operating based on the operable number, and further outputs the estimated work volume.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the work machine management program is executed by a computing device to realize predetermined processing, which includes acquiring machine information including at least operation information representing the operating status of the work machines, detecting the number of operating machines representing the number of operable work machines that are operating within a predetermined period based on the operation information, and outputting information representing the number of operating machines. According to one embodiment, the work machine management program is executed by a computing device to realize predetermined processing. This processing includes acquiring machine information including at least operation information representing the operating status of the work machines, detecting an operable number representing the number of operable work machines that have operated within a predetermined period of time based on the operation information, outputting information representing the operable number, calculating an estimated amount of work when at least some of the operable work machines are operating based on the operable number, and outputting the estimated amount of work. [Effects 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 used in agricultural work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a work machine management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 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 graphic 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 INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments 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-board 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, tractor, or transplanter. The on-board 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 types of information substantially in real time from the on-board 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 realizing 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 in-vehicle terminal 20 according to one embodiment may have a configuration as a so-called computer. The in-vehicle terminal 20 includes a bus 200, an arithmetic unit 210, a storage device 220, an input / output device 230, and an operating status sensor 240. The arithmetic unit 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 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 is connectable to the network 4 via an antenna 232 and is capable of communicating with the terminal 3 and / or the server 5 via the network 4. The antenna 232 may be part of the on-board terminal 20, or may be part of a device other than the on-board terminal 20, for example, a part of the 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 status 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 indicates 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, an arithmetic unit 31, a storage device 32, and an input / output device 33. The arithmetic unit 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 arithmetic 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 when the arithmetic device 31 executes 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 extent 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 of the determination made by the determination unit 312 of the arithmetic device 31. The input device 333 includes, for example, a touchpad or buttons, and may be used by the 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 one embodiment has the same components as the terminal 3 shown in Fig. 3. The server 5 according to one embodiment may have a configuration as a so-called computer. The server 5 has a bus 50, an arithmetic unit 51, a storage device 52, and an input / output device 53. The arithmetic unit 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 when the arithmetic device 51 executes the 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 extent 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 of the determination made by the determination unit 512 of the arithmetic device 51. The input device 533 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and may be used by a 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 in Figure 5. Here, this 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 in Figure 5 also shows an example configuration of a construction machine management program 321 according to one embodiment.

[0029] The flowchart of Fig. 5 starts, for example, when a user operates the server 5 to start the work machine management program 521. When the flowchart of 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 functions 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 machine information from multiple on-board terminals 20 mounted on multiple work machines 2, respectively.

[0031] Here, the in-vehicle terminal 20 may transmit the machine information without being requested by the server 5. As an example, the in-vehicle 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 status of the work machine 2. The operation status of the work machine 2 is classified as operating or non-operating. As an example, if the work machine 2 is in the key-off state, it is non-operating, and if the work machine 2 is in the key-on state, it is operating. A work machine 2 that is operating is called an operating work machine. A work machine 2 that is not operating is called an non-operating work machine. The non-operating operation status is further classified as whether or not it is operable. Of the non-operating work machines, a work machine 2 that does not have information registered in the server 5 indicating that it is inoperable due to a breakdown, repair, etc., and is therefore presumed to be operable is called an operable work machine. The non-operating and operable operation status is further classified as whether or not it has operated on the same day. An operation status that is non-operating, operable, and has an operation record on the same day is a state in which the work machine 2 has operated on the same day but then stopped operating. 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 same 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 the period from a specified number of days ago to the day before. A work machine 2 in this 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 that indicates the latest position of the work machine 2. The latest position of the work machine 2 is the position indicated by the position information obtained by last measuring the position of the on-board terminal 20.

[0034] The method by which machine information is generated by the on-board terminal 20 will be described. The arithmetic device 210 of the on-board terminal 20 executes the transmission program 222 to realize the functions of the transmission unit 211. The transmission unit 211 acquires a work machine status signal that indicates the status of the work machine 2 via the operating status sensor 240. The work machine status signal includes, for example, a signal that indicates that the work machine 2 is in the key-on state, a signal that indicates the movement speed of the work machine 2, a signal that indicates whether power is being transmitted to a part of the work machine 2 that performs agricultural work, and a signal that indicates an abnormality such as a malfunction of the work machine 2. However, if the power of the on-board terminal 20 is also turned off in conjunction with the work machine 2 being in a dormant state, the on-board terminal 20 may also stop its function of identifying that the work machine 2 is in a dormant state. In this case, the transmission unit 211 does not need to acquire a signal that indicates 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 that indicates the time 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 that indicates 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 operating status information and the location information at each of a plurality of times. As an example, the transmission unit 211 may periodically acquire the operating status information and the location information. As another example, the transmission unit 211 may acquire the operating 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 work machine status signals and position information. The transmission unit 211 generates machine information including at least the work machine status signal and 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 in-vehicle terminal 20 in the storage device 52. The storage device 52 accumulates a plurality of pieces of machine information acquired at different times.

[0039] After step S1, step S2 is executed. In step S2, the calculation device 51 of the server 5 executes the work machine management program 521, thereby realizing the function of the determination unit 512. The determination unit 512 determines the operating status of the work machine 2. More specifically, the determination unit 512 references the latest machine information stored in the storage device 52 to determine whether the work machine 2 is operating or not operating. When the work machine 2 is not operating, the determination unit 512 references the machine information and / or past determination results accumulated in the storage device 52 to determine whether the not operating work machine 2 is operable. When the work machine 2 is operable, the determination unit 512 references the machine information and / or past determination results accumulated in the storage device 52 to determine whether the operable work machine 2 is already operating or is ready.

[0040] Furthermore, in step S2, the determination unit 512 determines whether the latest position of the work machine 2 is within a predetermined set area. As an example, this set area includes the 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 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, for example.

[0041] After step S2, step S3 is executed. In step S3, the calculation device 51 of the server 5 executes the work machine management program 521 to further realize another function of the determination unit 512. 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 the time represented by the 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 calculation 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, it detects the number of operating work machines 2 as the first number, and detects the number of non-operating work machines 2 as the second number. Furthermore, the detection unit 513 detects the number of operating work machines 2, of the non-operating work machines 2, as the third number, and detects the number of prepared work machines as the fourth number. The detection unit 513 may also detect the number of work machines 2 within the set area for each operation state. The detection unit 513 may also detect the number of all work machines 2 under its 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, second, third and fourth numbers for each group into which the work machines 2 are classified based on predetermined criteria. Here, the criteria for classifying the work machines 2 may be, for example, the type of work machine 2, the work capacity of the work machine 2, or the team to which the work machine 2 belongs. The type of 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 performed 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 done 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 referencing the machine information acquired from the work machine 2. At this time, the identification information of the work machine 2 may be stored in the storage device 220 of the on-board 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 determination result obtained in step S2 and the detection result obtained in step S4.

[0046] After step S4, step S6 is executed. In step S6, the calculation 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, the sum of the third number and the fourth number is equal to the second number, and therefore, when the output unit 314 outputs the third number and the fourth number in a distinguishable manner, the output unit 314 is essentially also outputting the second number in a distinguishable manner.

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

[0048] As shown in Figure 7A, figures 71, 72, and 73 are configured so that they can be distinguished 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 not had a track record of operation on the day, i.e., a work machine 2 that is ready.

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

[0050] Frame portions 71A, 72A, and 73A are configured to be distinguishable from one another. In the example of Fig. 7B, frame portion 71A is represented in black, frame portion 72A is represented in hatching, and frame portion 73A is represented in white, thereby making frame portions 71A, 72A, and 73A distinguishable from one another. However, one embodiment is not limited to this example, and as another example, frame portions 71A, 72A, and 73A may be configured in different colors or 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] Arrows 71B, 72B, and 73B are formed for the purpose of indicating the positions on map 6 of the work machines 2 corresponding to figures 71, 72, and 73. In the example of Figure 7A, the tips of arrows 71B, 72B, and 73B indicate the positions on map 6 of the work machines 2 corresponding to figures 71, 72, and 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 types of 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 determinations regarding the operating status and location of the work machines 2 can be displayed on a map 6 such as that shown in Figure 6, in such a manner that they can be distinguished as information 81 indicating the first number, information 82 indicating the third number, and information 83 indicating the fourth number, and as graphics 71, 72, 73 indicating the operating status, type, and location 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 target workload for the day, and to quickly contact the operators of the work machines 2 that should be requested.

[0055] According to one 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 determination results may be displayed in the form of a table that lists the operation status of each work machine 2, as shown in Fig. 8A, for example. In the example of Fig. 8A, for each work machine 2, the pictogram, vehicle identification name, whether or not it has been in operation for a predetermined number of days until the current day, the time it stopped operating and the time that has elapsed since it stopped if it stopped operating that day, the distance from its most recent location to the factory where the subsequent work process will be performed, and the response rate of workers when requested to operate in the past are displayed in the form of a table. For work machines 2 that are in operation and work machines 2 that have already been operated, the cells for the operation results for that day may be highlighted. In the example of Fig. 8A, the operation results for that day of work machines 2 that are in operation are shown with relatively dark hatching, and the operation results for that day of work machines that have not already been operated are shown with relatively light hatching.

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

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

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

[0060] (Second embodiment) As a modification of the first embodiment described above, the flowchart in Fig. 5 may be changed to the 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 the same as 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 calculation device 31 of the terminal 3 executes the work machine management program 321, thereby further realizing another function of the output unit 314. The output unit 314 predicts the amount of work. More specifically, it predicts the additional amount of work that is expected to be obtained when at least some of the work machines 2 that are already in operation and / or the work machines 2 that are ready are put into operation. 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 input from the 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 work machines 2 that are already in operation and / or the work machines 2 that are ready. Next, the output unit 314 calculates the estimated amount of work if the selected work machine 2 is to be put into operation. As an example, the output unit 314 calculates the estimated amount of work based on the amount of work per unit time of the selected work machine 2 and the amount of time that work can be performed within the day. Here, the movement trajectory along which the work machine 2 moved for that work is calculated from position information acquired when the work machine 2 performed work in the past, the work area in which the work machine 2 performed that work is calculated from this movement trajectory, and the work amount per unit time of the work machine 2 is calculated from this work 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 that 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. Furthermore, the time available for work to be performed within the day may be calculated as the time from the time the output unit 314 executes step S5 until 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 determination in step S2, the estimated amount of work calculated in step S5 is also 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 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 work machines 2, i.e., the total of the third number of operating work machines and the fourth number of prepared work machines.

[0066] (Variation) As an example of the work machine management method according to the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which steps S1 to S4 of the flowchart in 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 an embodiment is not limited to this example. In step S1, some 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, some 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, some 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, some 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] The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the features described in the embodiments can be freely combined within the scope of technical compatibility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Work Machine Management System 2. Work machinery 20 In-vehicle terminal 200 Bus 210 Arithmetic equipment 211 Transmission Unit 220 Storage device 221 Recording Media 222 Transmission Program 230 Input / Output Devices 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 acquiring machine information including at least operation information that indicates the operating state of the work machine; a detection unit detecting, based on the operation information, the number of operating work machines, which indicates the number of operable work machines that are operating within a predetermined period of time, among the work machines; an output unit outputs information representing the number of operating units; Contains Work machine management method.

2. an information acquisition unit acquiring machine information including at least operation information that indicates the operating state of the work machine; a detection unit detecting, based on the operation information, an operable number representing the number of operable work machines that have operated within a predetermined period of time among the work machines; an output unit outputs information representing the operable number; the output unit calculates an estimated work volume when at least a portion of the operable work machines are in operation based on the operable number; Including, The outputting includes the output unit outputting the estimated amount of work. Work machine management method.

3. The detecting step includes: a first number representing the number of working machines that are currently in operation among the work machines based on the operation information; and a second number representing the number of operable work machines that are not currently in operation but will be in operation within a predetermined period of time among the work machines; detecting The outputting step includes: the output unit calculates an estimated amount of work when at least some of the operable work machines are in operation, based on the first number and the second number. Contains The work machine management method according to claim 2.

4. an information acquisition unit that acquires machine information including at least operation information that indicates the operating state of the work machine; a detection unit that detects the number of operating machines, which indicates the number of operable work machines that are operating within a predetermined period of time, among the work machines, based on the operation information; an output unit that outputs information representing the number of operating units; Equipped with Work machine management system.

5. an information acquisition unit that acquires machine information including at least operation information that indicates the operating state of the work machine; a detection unit that detects an operable number representing the number of operable work machines that have been operating within a predetermined period of time among the work machines based on the operation information; an output unit that outputs information representing the operable number; Equipped with the output unit calculates an estimated amount of work when at least a portion of the operable work machines are in operation, based on the operable number; Further outputting the estimated amount of work. Work machine management system.

6. A work machine management program for realizing predetermined processing by being executed by a computing device, The process comprises: acquiring machine information including at least operation information representing the operating state of the work machine; detecting, based on the operation information, the number of operating machines representing the number of operable work machines that are operating within a predetermined period of time among the work machines; outputting information indicating the number of operating units; Contains Work Machine Management Program.

7. A work machine management program for realizing predetermined processing by being executed by a computing device, The process comprises: acquiring machine information including at least operation information representing the operating state of the work machine; detecting an operable number representing the number of operable work machines that have been operated within a predetermined period of time among the work machines based on the operation information; outputting information representing the operable number of units; calculating an estimated amount of work when at least a portion of the operable work machines are in operation based on the operable number; outputting the estimated amount of work; Contains Work Machine Management Program.

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