Vehicle information management system, communication terminal, and server

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle information management system that collects vehicle information in an appropriate manner that complies with prescribed wireless communication regulations, such as permanent roaming regulations. [Solution] The vehicle information management system comprises a communication terminal mounted on the construction machine and a server that acquires vehicle information of the construction machine from the communication terminal. The communication terminal comprises a first slot into which a roaming SIM is inserted and removed to wirelessly connect to the optimal base station for the construction machine regardless of the country of the communication carrier, a second slot into which a local SIM is inserted and removed to wirelessly connect only to the base station of the communication carrier in the country into which the construction machine is brought, and a communication controller that controls the wireless communication of the communication terminal. The communication controller transmits vehicle information to the server using the roaming SIM when permanent roaming is permitted in the country into which the machine is brought, and transmits vehicle information to the server using the local SIM when permanent roaming is restricted in the country into which the machine is brought.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body information management system, a communication terminal, and a server for managing vehicle body information of construction machinery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle body information management system that determines abnormalities of construction machinery and the necessity of maintenance by analyzing vehicle body information (for example, current position, traveling speed, operating time, etc.) uploaded from construction machinery.

[0003] Construction machinery operating around the world needs to communicate in accordance with the communication regulations of that country. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining a communication method (for example, GSM, 3G, etc.) that can be used in the country where the construction machinery operates and switching to a communication method with low power consumption.

[0004] Also, as an example of communication regulations, there is a permanent roaming regulation that restricts permanent wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as "roaming communication") in a second country using a roaming-enabled SIM (hereinafter referred to as "roaming SIM") acquired in a first country (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, if construction machinery equipped with a roaming SIM obtained in Country 1 is used near the border with Country 2 within Country 1, there is a possibility that it may unintentionally connect to the carrier of Country 2 (i.e., roaming).

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology for transmitting vehicle information in a vehicle information management system for managing vehicle information of construction machinery in an appropriate manner that conforms to predetermined wireless communication regulations such as permanent roaming regulations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a vehicle information management system comprising a communication terminal mounted on a construction machine and a server that acquires vehicle information of the construction machine from the communication terminal, wherein the communication terminal comprises a first slot into which a roaming SIM is inserted and removed for wireless connection to the optimal base station for the construction machine regardless of the country of the communication carrier, a second slot into which a local SIM is inserted and removed for wireless connection only to the base station of the communication carrier in the country into which the construction machine is brought, and a communication controller that controls the wireless communication of the communication terminal, wherein the communication controller transmits the vehicle information to the server using the roaming SIM when permanent roaming is permitted in the country into which the machine is brought, and transmits the vehicle information to the server using the local SIM when permanent roaming is restricted in the country into which the machine is brought. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, in a vehicle information management system for managing vehicle information of construction machinery, vehicle information can be transmitted in an appropriate manner that conforms to predetermined wireless communication regulations such as permanent roaming regulations. Other issues, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle information management system. [Figure 2] This is a hardware configuration diagram for construction machinery and communication terminals. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of information stored in memory. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the SIM setup process. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the vehicle information transmission process. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the current location notification process. [Figure 7] This is a hardware configuration diagram for the server. [Figure 8] This figure shows the management table related to the second variation. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the vehicle information transmission process related to Modification 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] An embodiment of the vehicle information management system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle information management system 1. The vehicle information management system 1 is a system that determines abnormalities in the construction machine 3 and whether maintenance is required by analyzing vehicle information (for example, current position, driving speed, operating time, etc.) uploaded from the construction machine 3. Since the construction machine 3 operates in various countries around the world, this embodiment will be described using countries A, B, C, and D as examples.

[0012] Countries A, B, C, and D each have their own telecommunications carriers. A telecommunications carrier is an organization (company) that provides wireless communication services using a predetermined communication method (e.g., GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). To provide wireless communication services, the telecommunications carriers have installed base stations 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "base station 2") throughout the country. Figure 1 shows one base station 2 in each country, but the number of base stations 2 may differ from country to country.

[0013] To use a wireless communication service provided by a communication carrier, it is necessary to obtain a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card issued by the communication carrier. By inserting the SIM card into the slot of the communication terminal 4 described later, wireless communication can be performed with another device (server 5) through the base station 2. There are mainly two types of SIM cards issued by communication carriers: roaming SIMs and local SIMs.

[0014] A roaming SIM is a SIM card that wirelessly connects to the optimal base station 2 (for example, the base station 2 closest to the communication terminal 4) for the construction machine 3 regardless of the country to which the communication carrier belongs. For example, a communication terminal 4 with a roaming SIM issued by a communication carrier in country A is wirelessly connected to the base station 2A installed in country A within country A, and is wirelessly connected to the base station 2B installed in country B within country B. Also, a communication terminal 4 with a roaming SIM issued by a communication carrier in country A may be wirelessly connected to the base station 2C installed in country C near the border with country C even within country A.

[0015] A local SIM is a SIM card that wirelessly connects only to the base station 2 of the communication carrier that issued it. For example, a communication terminal 4 with a local SIM issued by a communication carrier in country B is wirelessly connected to the base station 2B installed in country B. On the other hand, a communication terminal 4 with a local SIM issued by a communication carrier in country B will not be wirelessly connected to the base stations 2A, 2C, and 2D even if it moves to countries A, C, and D.

[0016] Countries A and B are countries where permanent roaming, which is a predetermined wireless communication, is regulated by law (hereinafter referred to as "PR-regulated countries"). On the other hand, countries C and D are countries where permanent roaming is permitted (hereinafter referred to as "PR-unregulated countries"). Permanent roaming refers to, for example, constantly performing wireless communication (that is, roaming communication via the base station 2A installed in country A) in country A using a roaming SIM obtained in country C.

[0017] In addition, in Country A, a permanent roaming grace period (hereinafter referred to as the "PR grace period") is set. The PR grace period is the period from entering Country A until roaming communication is restricted (for example, one week). That is, the communication terminal 4 inserted with the roaming SIM obtained in Country C can perform roaming communication via the base station 2A installed in Country A until the PR grace period elapses after being carried into Country A. On the other hand, in Country B where the PR grace period is not set, roaming communication is completely prohibited.

[0018] Furthermore, Country A is a country where the transmission of vehicle body information abroad is prohibited by law (hereinafter referred to as the "country prohibiting overseas transmission"). On the other hand, Countries B, C, and D are countries where the transmission of vehicle body information abroad is permitted by law (hereinafter referred to as the "countries not prohibiting overseas transmission"). That is, the communication terminal 4 installed on the construction machine 3 can transmit vehicle body information only within Country A when the construction machine 3 is within Country A, and can transmit vehicle body information to any country when the construction machine 3 is within Countries B, C, and D. The vehicle body information includes all information that can be obtained from the construction machine 3, such as the current position, traveling speed, and operating time of the construction machine 3.

[0019] In this embodiment, the countries where permanent roaming is restricted are divided into Country A where the transmission of vehicle body information abroad is prohibited and Country B where the transmission of vehicle body information abroad is permitted. On the other hand, in Countries C and D where permanent roaming is permitted, it is assumed that the transmission of vehicle body information abroad is permitted.

[0020] The vehicle body information management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a communication terminal 4 installed on a construction machine 3, a local server 5A, and a global server 5C. Hereinafter, the local server 5A and the global server 5C may be collectively referred to as the "server 5". In FIG. 1, a hydraulic excavator is illustrated as an example of the construction machine 3, but it may also be a dump truck, a wheel loader, a crane, or the like.

[0021] The communication terminal 4 is mounted on the construction machine 3. In other words, the communication terminal 4 moves together with the construction machine 3. The communication terminal 4 also collects vehicle information from the construction machine 3. Furthermore, the communication terminal 4 transmits the vehicle information collected from the construction machine 3 to the server 5 via a base station 2C installed in country C. Note that the number of communication terminals 4 (in other words, construction machines 3) that constitute the vehicle information management system 1 is not limited to one, but may be multiple. Details of the construction machine 3 and the communication terminal 4 will be described later with reference to Figure 2.

[0022] Server 5 stores vehicle information received from the communication terminal 4 via the base station 2. Server 5 then analyzes the stored vehicle information and provides the operator with information to determine abnormalities in the construction machine 3 and whether maintenance is required. This process is already well-known, so a detailed explanation is omitted. Server 5 is connected to the internet and uniquely identified by its domain name (or IP address).

[0023] Local server 5A is located in country A, which is a country where overseas transmission is prohibited. In other words, local server 5A is installed in each country where overseas transmission is prohibited. On the other hand, global server 5C is located in country C, which is a country where overseas transmission is not prohibited. In this embodiment, server 5 is not installed in country B or country D. However, global server 5C may be installed in country D.

[0024] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the construction machine 3 and the communication terminal 4. As shown in Figure 2, the construction machine 3 mainly consists of a vehicle controller 10, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 11, a vehicle information sensor 12, a display 13, and an operating device 14. The communication terminal 4 mainly consists of a communication controller 20, a communication antenna 21, a first slot 22, and a second slot 23.

[0025] The vehicle controller 10 controls the operation of the entire construction machine 3. The GPS antenna 11 receives signals from GPS satellites and outputs position information indicating the current position of the construction machine 3 to the vehicle controller 10. The vehicle information sensor 12 detects the vehicle information of the construction machine 3 and outputs the detected vehicle information to the vehicle controller 10. The vehicle information sensor 12 may be, for example, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the construction machine 3, or a timer that measures the operating time of the construction machine 3. The display 13 informs the operator riding the construction machine 3 of the information. The operating device 14 accepts operations from the operator riding the construction machine 3. The operating device 14 may be, for example, a push button or a touch panel.

[0026] The communication controller 20 is connected to the vehicle controller 10 and configured to communicate with it. The communication controller 20 collects vehicle information of the construction machine 3 through the vehicle controller 10 and controls the wireless communication of the communication terminal 4. A roaming SIM is inserted into the first slot 22. A local SIM is inserted into the second slot 23. The communication controller 20 uses the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 or the local SIM inserted in the second slot 23 to transmit the collected vehicle information to the server 5 via the base station 2.

[0027] The vehicle body controller 10 and the communication controller 20 each include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15, 25 and memory 16, 26. The memory 16, 26 consists of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a combination thereof. The vehicle body controller 10 and the communication controller 20 perform the processing described later by having the CPU 15, 25 read and execute program code stored in the ROM or HDD. The RAM is used as a work area when the CPU 15, 25 executes programs.

[0028] However, the specific configuration of the vehicle body controller 10 and the communication controller 20 is not limited to this, and they may be implemented using hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0029] Figure 3 shows an example of information stored in memory 26. As shown in Figure 3(A), memory 26 stores the domain name "www.global.com" of global server 5C. Also, as shown in Figure 3(B), memory 26 stores a management table. The management table maintains information on PR restrictions and the presence or absence of overseas transmission restrictions for each country. For example, the management table registers the country ID, the presence or absence of PR restrictions, the PR grace period, the presence or absence of overseas transmission restrictions, and the local server name in association with each other.

[0030] The Country ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies a country. For PR restrictions, the value "Yes" is set to indicate that the country identified by the corresponding Country ID is a PR-restricted country, or "No" is set to indicate that it is a non-PR-restricted country. The PR grace period is set to the PR grace period set for the PR-restricted country. For the prohibition of overseas transmission, the value "Yes" is set to indicate that the country identified by the corresponding Country ID is a country where overseas transmission is prohibited, or "No" is set to indicate that it is a country where overseas transmission is not prohibited. The local server name is set to the domain name "www.local-a.com" of local server 5A located in the country identified by the corresponding Country ID.

[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the SIM setting process. The SIM setting process is the process of setting the SIM card used to transmit vehicle information. The communication controller 20 executes the setting process shown in Figure 4, for example, before and after the construction machine 3 (i.e., the communication terminal 4) moves across national borders. Hereinafter, when the construction machine 3 is moved across national borders, the country of origin (e.g., manufacturer, seller, leaser) will be referred to as the "country of export," and the destination (e.g., user, purchaser, leaser) will be referred to as the "country of import." Information indicating the country of export and country of import is input through the operating device 14 and transmitted to the communication controller 20 via the vehicle controller 10.

[0032] It is assumed that, at the start of the SIM setup process, a roaming SIM is inserted in the first slot 22 and a local SIM is inserted in the second slot 23. Furthermore, it is assumed that the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 is activated.

[0033] "Activating a SIM card" refers to the process of enabling wireless connection to base station 2 (i.e., wireless communication via base station 2) using the SIM card. On the other hand, "deactivating a SIM card" refers to the process of preventing wireless connection to base station 2 (i.e., wireless communication via base station 2) using the SIM card. The processes for activating and deactivating a SIM card are defined by the telecommunications carrier that issued the SIM card.

[0034] First, if the construction machine 3 is moving from a non-PR-regulated country (Country C or Country D) to a PR-regulated country (Country A or Country B) (S11: Yes), no special processing is required for the communication terminal 4 before it is shipped out of the country of origin. Then, after the construction machine 3 is brought into the country of origin, the country of origin is identified based on the location information, and the communication controller 20 activates the local SIM of the country of origin inserted into the second slot 23 (S12).

[0035] The method for detecting that the construction machine 3 has been brought into the country of import is not particularly limited, but the following methods are possible. For example, the communication controller 20 may determine that the construction machine 3 has been brought into the country of import based on the current position of the construction machine 3 detected by the GPS antenna 11, as described above. As another example, the communication controller 20 may determine that the construction machine 3 has been brought into the country of import when it receives an operator's operation through the operating device 14 indicating that the construction machine 3 has been brought into the country of import. As yet another example, the communication controller 20 may determine that the construction machine 3 has been brought into the country of import when a pre-set scheduled import date arrives via the operating device 14.

[0036] Furthermore, if a PR grace period is set at the importing country, the communication controller 20 may execute the process in step S12 at any time before the PR grace period expires. On the other hand, if no PR grace period is set at the importing country, the communication controller 20 will execute the process in step S12 immediately upon detecting the import of the construction machine 3 to the importing country. The same applies to steps S15 and S16, which will be described later.

[0037] Furthermore, the communication controller 20 may perform the process of activating the local SIM itself in step S12. As another example, the communication controller 20 may display a screen prompting the user to activate the local SIM on the display 13 via the vehicle controller 10. The communication controller 20 may then obtain from the vehicle controller 10 that the operating device 14 has received an operator's input indicating that the local SIM has been activated. The same applies to steps S15, S16, and S18, which will be described later.

[0038] Furthermore, when the construction machine 3 moves from one PR-regulated country (country C or country D) to another PR-regulated country (the other country C or country D) (S13: Yes), when the construction machine 3 is shipped out of the country of origin, the communication controller 20 switches the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 to the local SIM of the country of origin (S14). As another example, the communication controller 20 may also switch the local SIM of the country of origin inserted in the second slot 23 to the local SIM of the country of origin. The specific method for performing the SIM card switching process is not particularly limited, but the following methods are possible, for example.

[0039] For example, the communication controller 20 may display a screen prompting the user to replace the SIM card in the first slot 22 on the display 13 via the vehicle controller 10. The communication controller 20 may also obtain from the vehicle controller 10 that the operating device 14 has received an operator's input indicating that the SIM card has been replaced.

[0040] As another example, the roaming SIM inserted into the first slot 22 may be an eUICC (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card). Furthermore, the first slot 22 may be configured to allow rewriting of the information stored on the inserted SIM card under the control of the communication controller 20. The communication controller 20 may then cause the first slot 22 to perform a process to rewrite the roaming SIM inserted into the first slot 22 with a local SIM of the country of entry.

[0041] Furthermore, after the construction machine 3 is brought into the country of origin, the communication controller 20 activates the local SIM of the country of origin inserted into the first slot 22 (S15). In addition, the communication controller 20 deactivates the local SIM of the country of origin inserted into the second slot 23 (S16). Note that the execution order of steps S15 and S16 may be reversed.

[0042] As a result, after the construction machine 3 is brought into the PR-regulated country, the communication controller 20 will be able to transmit vehicle information using the local SIM of the country of import in the vehicle information transmission process described later with reference to Figure 5.

[0043] Furthermore, if the construction machine 3 moves from a PR-regulated country (Country C or Country D) to a PR-unregulated country (Country A or Country B) (S17:Yes), no special processing is required for the communication terminal 4 when it is shipped out of the country of origin. Then, after the construction machine 3 is brought into the country of origin, the communication controller 20 deactivates the local SIM of the country of origin inserted into the second slot 23 (S18). On the other hand, if the construction machine 3 moves from one PR-unregulated country (Country A or Country B) to another PR-unregulated country (Country A or Country B) (S17:No), no special processing is required for the communication terminal 4 before the construction machine 3 is shipped out of the country of origin and before the construction machine 3 is brought into the country of origin.

[0044] As a result, the communication controller 20 will be able to transmit vehicle information using a roaming SIM in the vehicle information transmission process after the construction machine 3 has been delivered to a country not subject to PR restrictions.

[0045] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the vehicle information transmission process. The vehicle information transmission process is the process of transmitting vehicle information to the appropriate server 5 using an appropriate communication method. The communication controller 20 repeatedly executes the vehicle information transmission process at predetermined time intervals. First, the communication controller 20 collects vehicle information of the construction machine 3 through the vehicle controller 10 (S21).

[0046] Next, the communication controller 20 determines whether the local SIM inserted in the second slot 23 is enabled (in other words, whether permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import) (S22). If the communication controller 20 determines that the local SIM is disabled (S22: No), that is, if permanent roaming is permitted in the country of import, it transmits the vehicle information collected in step S21 to the global server 5C using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 (S23). In other words, the process in step S23 is executed when the construction machine 3 is operating in country C or country D.

[0047] On the other hand, if the communication controller 20 determines that the local SIM is enabled (S22: Yes), that is, if permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import, it determines, based on the management table stored in memory 26, whether or not the transmission of vehicle information abroad is prohibited in the country of import (i.e., whether or not it is a country where transmission abroad is prohibited) (S24).

[0048] Then, if the communication controller 20 determines that the country of entry permits the transmission of vehicle information abroad (S24: No), it transmits the vehicle information collected in step S21 to the global server 5C using the local SIM inserted in the first slot 22 or the second slot 23 (S25). In other words, the process in step S25 is executed when the construction machine 3 is operating in country B.

[0049] On the other hand, if the communication controller 20 determines that the transmission of vehicle information to another country is prohibited at the country of entry (S24: Yes), it transmits the vehicle information collected in step S21 to the local server 5A using the local SIM inserted in the first slot 22 or the second slot 23 (S26). In other words, the process in step S26 is executed when the construction machine 3 is operating in country A.

[0050] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the current location notification process. The current location notification process is the process of notifying the server 5 of the current location of the construction machine 3, which is equipped with a communication terminal 4, in the event that the machine is stolen. For example, an operator or manager who notices that the construction machine 3 has been stolen enters a theft notification into the server 5. The server 5, upon receiving the theft notification, repeatedly sends a current location notification instruction to the construction machine 3 at predetermined time intervals. The communication controller 20 then uses the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 to execute the current location notification process shown in Figure 6 when it receives a current location notification instruction from the server 5.

[0051] First, the communication controller 20 determines whether the country of introduction (hereinafter referred to as the "country of introduction") is a PR-regulated country based on the country identified from the current location detected by the GPS antenna 11 and the management table stored in the memory 26 (S31). If the communication controller 20 determines that the country of introduction is not a PR-regulated country (S31: No), it transmits the location information output from the GPS antenna 11 to the global server 5C using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 (S32).

[0052] On the other hand, if the communication controller 20 determines that the country of introduction is a country subject to PR restrictions (S31:Yes), it determines whether it is possible to connect to the base station 2 of the country's communication carrier (local carrier) using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 (S33). Also, if the communication controller 20 determines that it is possible to connect to the local carrier's base station 2 with the roaming SIM (S33:Yes), it determines, based on the management table, whether the country of introduction is a country where overseas transmission is prohibited (S34).

[0053] Then, if the communication controller 20 determines that the country of introduction is a country where overseas transmission is prohibited (S34: Yes), it transmits the location information output from the GPS antenna 11 to the local server 5A using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 (S35). On the other hand, if the communication controller 20 determines that the country of introduction is a country where overseas transmission is not prohibited (S34: No), it transmits the location information output from the GPS antenna 11 to the global server 5C using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 (S36). Furthermore, if the communication controller 20 determines that it cannot connect to the local carrier's base station 2 with the roaming SIM (S33: No), it terminates the current location notification process without executing steps S34 to S36.

[0054] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following effects are achieved.

[0055] According to the above embodiment, vehicle information is transmitted using a local SIM in PR-regulated countries and using a roaming SIM in non-PR-regulated countries, so that vehicle information can be transmitted in an appropriate manner that complies with permanent roaming regulations. Note that in Figure 4, steps S12, S15, S16, and S18 may be performed before the construction machine 3 is shipped out of the country of origin.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, vehicle information is transmitted to the local server 5A in countries where overseas transmission is prohibited, and to the global server 5C in countries where overseas transmission is not prohibited, thus preventing the leakage of vehicle information from countries where overseas transmission is prohibited.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if the theft of the construction machine 3 is detected, the current location of the construction machine 3 is notified to the server 5, making it possible to track the construction machine 3.

[0058] [Example 1] Figure 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of server 5. As shown in Figure 7, server 5 consists of a CPU 31 (processor), memory 32, and communication interface 33, all interconnected via a communication bus 34. The configuration of the CPU 31 and memory 32 is the same as that of CPUs 15 and 25 and memories 16 and 26. Server 5 performs the processing described later by having the CPU 31 read and execute program code stored in memory 32. Server 5 is also configured to communicate with the communication terminal 4 via the communication interface 33.

[0059] The server 5 in the modified example 1 stores the management table shown in Figure 3(B) in memory 32. The CPU 31 of the server 5 may then execute some of the processes shown in Figures 4 and 5. For example, the CPU 31 of the server 5 may determine whether the importing country is a PR-regulated country and whether the importing country is a country where overseas transmission is prohibited, based on the management table stored in memory 32. The CPU 31 of the server 5 may then transmit instruction information indicating whether the importing country is a PR-regulated country and whether the importing country is a country where overseas transmission is prohibited, to the communication terminal 4 via the communication IF 33.

[0060] Meanwhile, the communication controller 20 receives instruction information from the server 5 using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22. Based on the instruction information received from the server 5, the communication controller 20 then makes the decisions in steps S11, S13, S17, and S24.

[0061] In other words, the CPU 31 of server 5 in Modification 1 causes vehicle information to be sent to the communication terminal 4 using a roaming SIM when permanent roaming is permitted in the country of import, and causes vehicle information to be sent to the communication terminal 4 using a local SIM when permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import. Furthermore, the CPU 31 of server 5 in Modification 1 causes the global server 5C to send vehicle information to the communication terminal 4 when the transmission of vehicle information abroad is permitted in the country of import, and causes the local server 5A to send vehicle information to the communication terminal 4 when the transmission of vehicle information abroad is prohibited in the country of import.

[0062] According to Modification 1, the same effects and advantages as in the above embodiment can be achieved, and the program to be implemented in the communication terminal 4 can be simplified.

[0063] [Differentiation 2] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the management table related to Modification 2. Figure 9 is a flowchart of the vehicle information transmission process related to Modification 2. Modification 2 assumes that when operating construction machinery 3 in a PR-regulated country, a roaming SIM obtained from a local carrier is inserted into the first slot 22, and a local SIM is not inserted into the second slot 23.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, the management table for Modification 2 differs from the management table in Figure 3(B) in that a carrier ID has been added. The carrier ID is an identifier that identifies a communications carrier (local carrier) installed in the country identified by the corresponding country ID. The carrier ID can be received from base station 2 during the process of establishing a wireless connection with base station 2.

[0065] In the modified version 2, the communication controller 20, when it establishes a wireless connection with base station 2 using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22, determines whether it is the local carrier's base station 2 based on the carrier ID received from base station 2 and the management table shown in Figure 8 (S51). If the communication controller 20 determines that it has established a wireless connection with the local carrier's base station 2 (S51: Yes), it transmits vehicle information to server 5 using the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot 22 (S52). Whether to transmit the vehicle information to local server 5A or global server 5C is the same as in the case of Figure 5.

[0066] On the other hand, if the communication controller 20 determines that it has wirelessly connected to a base station 2 that is not the local carrier (S51: No), it determines whether there are other base stations 2 that can be connected to using the roaming SIM (S53). If the communication controller 20 determines that there are other base stations 2 (S53: Yes), it attempts to connect to that base station 2 and executes the processes from step S51 onwards. On the other hand, if the communication controller 20 determines that there are no other base stations 2 (S53: No), it abandons the transmission of vehicle information in this case (i.e., without executing the process in step S52) and terminates the vehicle information transmission process.

[0067] Modification 2 also helps prevent unintentional violations of permanent roaming regulations.

[0068] The embodiments described above are illustrative for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to those embodiments only. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1. Vehicle Information Management System 2A-2D base station 3. Construction machinery 4. Communication terminals 5 Servers 5A Local Server 5C Global Server 10. Vehicle controller 11 GPS antennas 12. Vehicle Information Sensor 13 displays 14 Operating device 15,26,31 CPU 16,26,32 memory 20 Communication Controller 21 Communication Antenna 22 First Slot 23. Second slot 33 Communication IF 34 Communications Bus

Claims

1. In a vehicle information management system comprising a communication terminal mounted on a construction machine and a server that acquires vehicle information of the construction machine from the communication terminal, The aforementioned communication terminal is A first slot into which a roaming SIM is inserted and removed, which wirelessly connects to the optimal base station for the construction machine regardless of the country of the telecommunications carrier, A second slot into which a local SIM card is inserted and removed is inserted, which wirelessly connects only to the base station of the telecommunications carrier in the country where the construction machinery is brought in. The system includes a communication controller that controls the wireless communication of the aforementioned communication terminal, The aforementioned communication controller If permanent roaming is permitted in the country of entry, the vehicle information is transmitted to the server using the roaming SIM. A vehicle information management system characterized by transmitting the vehicle information to the server using the local SIM when permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import.

2. In the vehicle information management system according to claim 1, The vehicle information management system is characterized in that the communication controller determines whether or not permanent roaming is restricted in the country of entry, which is identified from the current location of the construction machine detected by GPS, based on a management table that maintains whether or not permanent roaming is restricted in each country.

3. In the vehicle information management system according to claim 1, The vehicle information management system is characterized in that the communication controller receives information from the server using the roaming SIM indicating whether or not permanent roaming is restricted in the country of entry.

4. In the vehicle information management system according to claim 1, The vehicle information management system is characterized in that, when the construction machinery is brought into the country of import, the communication controller performs a process to switch the roaming SIM inserted in the first slot to the local SIM of the country of import when the construction machinery is brought into the country of import, provided that permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import from which the construction machinery was shipped and permanent roaming is also restricted in the country of import.

5. In the vehicle information management system according to claim 1, The vehicle information management system is characterized in that the communication controller disables the local SIM when the construction machine is brought into the country of import, provided that permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import from which the construction machine was exported, and permanent roaming is permitted in the country of import.

6. In the vehicle information management system according to claim 1, The vehicle information management system is characterized in that the communication controller activates the local SIM when the construction machine is brought into the country of import, provided that permanent roaming is permitted in the country of import from which the construction machine was exported, and permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import.

7. In the vehicle information management system according to claim 1, The aforementioned server, Global servers located in countries where permanent roaming is permitted, This includes local servers set up in each country where permanent roaming is restricted. The aforementioned communication controller If permanent roaming is permitted in the aforementioned country of entry, the vehicle information is transmitted to the global server using the roaming SIM. If permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import and the transmission of the vehicle information abroad is permitted, the vehicle information is transmitted to the global server using the local SIM. A vehicle information management system characterized by transmitting the vehicle information to the local server using the local SIM when permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import and the transmission of the vehicle information abroad is restricted.

8. In a communication terminal that transmits vehicle information of construction machinery to a server, A first slot into which a roaming SIM is inserted and removed, which wirelessly connects to the optimal base station for the construction machine regardless of the country of the telecommunications carrier, A second slot into which a local SIM card is inserted and removed is inserted, which wirelessly connects only to the base station of the telecommunications carrier in the country where the construction machinery is brought in. The system includes a communication controller that controls the wireless communication of the aforementioned communication terminal, The aforementioned communication controller If permanent roaming is permitted in the country of entry, the vehicle information is transmitted to the server using the roaming SIM. A communication terminal characterized by transmitting the vehicle information to the server using the local SIM when permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import.

9. In a server that receives vehicle information of construction machinery via a communication terminal, The aforementioned server, A memory that stores a management table that maintains whether or not permanent roaming is restricted for each country, The system includes a processor that causes the communication terminal to transmit the vehicle information based on the management table, The aforementioned processor, If permanent roaming is permitted in the country where the construction machinery is brought in, regardless of the country of origin of the communication carrier, a roaming SIM that wirelessly connects to the optimal base station for the construction machinery is used to transmit the vehicle information to the communication terminal. A server characterized in that, when permanent roaming is restricted in the country of import, it transmits the vehicle information to the communication terminal using a local SIM that wirelessly connects only to the base station of the communication carrier in the country of import.

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