Management method, management terminal and management system

Abstract

To provide a management method, a management terminal, and a management system capable of easily managing a plurality of types of work machines.SOLUTION: A management terminal 5, which manages a tractor 2, a rice transplanter 3, and a combine harvester 4, as a plurality of types of work machines that performs a plurality of types of work, respectively, on a field, is provided with: a storage portion 11 which stores a management application for managing the plurality of types of work machines; a control device 10 which activates the management application; and a display portion 13. When the management application is activated, the control device 10 displays, on the display portion 13, a plurality of app activation icons 31 corresponding to the plurality of types of work machines, respectively, so as to be selectively operated. The control device 10 activates, in response to an operation to select one of the app activation icons 31, an individual application for operating the work machine corresponding to the selected app activation icon 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management method, a management terminal, and a management system for managing a plurality of types of work machines each performing a plurality of types of work in the same work area. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to carry out work in a work area such as a farm field using a work machine such as an agricultural work machine, an operator is required to manage the work machine and the work area. Conventionally, a technique is known in which a terminal attached to the work machine is provided with a management function and a display unit or the like of the terminal is used to manage the work machine and the work area.

[0003] For example, the farm field management system of Patent Document 1 stores field information including field position information for each of a plurality of fields, and includes a mobile terminal that displays the field information, and the mobile terminal displays the field information for all or part of the plurality of fields based on the distance between the measured position and each position of the plurality of fields obtained using the field position information. Also, the work field management system of Patent Document 2 includes a work field map acquisition unit that acquires a first work field map that associates the field position set on the field with the shape data of the work field, a machine position acquisition unit that acquires the machine position of the work machine that has moved the work field, and a work field correction unit that corrects the relationship between the field position and the shape data of the work field based on the machine position. The work field map acquisition unit, the machine position acquisition unit, and the work field correction unit are provided in a management device (computer), and the management device is a display device attached to a tractor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-24383 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-120723 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, a worker may perform work in a plurality of work areas, such as a plurality of fields, using a work machine, such as an agricultural work machine, and therefore is required to manage a plurality of work areas. A worker may also perform a plurality of different types of work in the same work area. For example, a worker may perform a plurality of different types of agricultural work, such as plowing, rice planting, and harvesting, in the same field. Therefore, a worker is required not only to manage a plurality of work areas, but also to manage a plurality of types of work machines, each of which performs a plurality of types of work in the same work area. However, with conventional technology, it is complicated and difficult to manage a plurality of work areas while managing a plurality of work areas and a plurality of types of work machines which perform a plurality of different types of work in the same work area.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a management method, a management terminal, and a management system that can easily manage a plurality of types of work machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the management method of the present invention is a management method for managing a plurality of types of work machines each performing a plurality of types of work in the same work area, and is characterized by having a first launch step of launching a management application for managing the plurality of types of work machines on a worker's terminal, a display control step of displaying a plurality of application launch icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of work machines in a selectable manner on a display unit of the terminal by the management application, and a second launch step of launching on the terminal an individual application for operating the work machine corresponding to the selected application launch icon in response to a selection operation of any of the plurality of application launch icons.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the management terminal of the present invention is a management terminal for managing a plurality of types of work machines each performing a plurality of types of work in a field, and is equipped with a memory unit that stores a management application for managing the plurality of types of work machines, a control device that launches the management application, and a display unit, and is characterized in that when the control device launches the management application, it displays on the display unit a plurality of app launch icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of work machines in a selectable manner, and in response to a selection operation of any of the plurality of app launch icons, it launches an individual application for operating the work machine corresponding to the selected app launch icon.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the management system of the present invention is a management system that manages a plurality of types of work machines each performing a plurality of types of work in a field, and is characterized in that a management application for managing the plurality of types of work machines is launched on a worker's terminal, the management application displays a plurality of app launch icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of work machines on a display unit of the terminal so that the app launch icons can be selected, and in response to a selection operation of any of the plurality of app launch icons, an individual application for operating the work machine corresponding to the selected app launch icon is launched on the terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a management method, a management terminal, and a management system are provided that are capable of easily managing a plurality of types of work machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of a home screen of the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11 is a front view showing an example of a detailed screen of notification information in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a farm field management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 11 is a front view showing an example of a created farm field data acquisition screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of an analysis field data acquisition screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view showing an example of a data management screen in a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11 is a front view showing an example of a backup management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a front view showing an example of a backup execution screen in the management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a front view showing an example of a restore management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 11 is a front view showing an example of a data selection screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13 is a front view showing an example of a restore confirmation screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 13 is a front view showing an example of a restore execution screen in the management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 11 is a front view showing an example of an instruction manual management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is a front view showing an example of an instruction manual acquisition screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 11 is a front view showing an example of an application management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 18] 11 is a front view showing an example of an update management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19]11 is a front view showing an example of an update execution screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 11 is a front view showing an example of an installation management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 11 is a front view showing an example of an installation execution screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] 11 is a front view showing an example of a setting management screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 23] 11 is a front view showing an example of a registered machine information screen in the management device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the management system 1 has multiple types of agricultural work machines, such as a tractor 2, a rice transplanter 3, and a combine harvester 4, as work machines managed by an operator, multiple management terminals 5 attached to the multiple types of work machines (tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4), respectively, and a management server 6 capable of communicating with the multiple management terminals 5. The management system 1 is configured to manage multiple types of work machines and multiple work areas (e.g., farm fields) used by an operator.

[0013] The tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4, which are multiple types of work machines, perform multiple different types of work in the same work area, for example, performing multiple different types of agricultural work such as plowing, rice planting, and harvesting in the same field. The tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4 are equipped with communication devices (not shown) and are connected to their corresponding management terminals 5 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. The tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4 perform agricultural work in the field and at the same time measure field data related to the field (such as the shape, size, and position information of the field edges that constitute the perimeter of the field) and transmit the field data of the measurement results to the corresponding management terminals 5.

[0014] The tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, and the combine harvester 4 may be configured as an autonomous vehicle that automatically travels along a preset travel route. In this case, the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, and the combine harvester 4 receive field data and travel routes from the corresponding management terminals 5, and are controlled to automatically travel according to the field data and travel routes. The tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, and the combine harvester 4 each have work machine data as setting information related to the travel and work (plowing, rice planting, harvesting, etc.) of the work machine, and control the automatic travel based on the work machine data.

[0015] The management server 6 is connected to each of the management terminals 5 corresponding to the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4, respectively, via a predetermined network N such as the Internet, so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. The management server 6 stores login information capable of identifying each worker and each management terminal 5, and accepts login processing of each management terminal 5 using the login information.

[0016] In addition, the management server 6 stores notification information regarding the management of multiple types of work machines (tractors 2, rice transplanters 3, and combines 4), and transmits the notification information to the management terminal 5 in response to a request for notification information from the logged-in management terminal 5.

[0017] The management server 6 stores, for each worker, work machine data relating to each of a plurality of types of work machines managed by the worker, for example, in this embodiment, work machine data relating to each of the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine 4. The work machine data is setting information relating to the travel and work (plowing, rice planting, harvesting, etc.) of the work machine, and includes, for example, the vehicle body length, vehicle body width, working width, turning radius, etc. When an individual application for operating a work machine is installed in the management terminal 5, the work machine data is used in the individual application of the corresponding work machine. The management server 6 accepts backup and restoration of work machine data by the logged-in management terminal 5, receives and stores work machine data from the management terminal 5 in response to a backup instruction, and transmits the work machine data to the management terminal 5 in response to a restore instruction.

[0018] Furthermore, the management server 6 stores, for each worker, work area data relating to each of a plurality of work areas managed by the worker, for example, in this embodiment, field data relating to the field. The management server 6 accepts storage and management of field data by logged-in management terminals 5, receives and stores the field data from the management terminals 5 in response to storage instructions, and transmits the field data of each worker to the management terminals 5 in response to management instructions.

[0019] The management server 6 also stores instruction manuals for each of the multiple types of work machines (the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, and the combine 4). The management server 6 transmits the instruction manual to the management terminal 5 in response to a download request for the instruction manual from the logged-in management terminal 5.

[0020] The management server 6 also stores various applications to be installed in each management terminal 5, and for example, in this embodiment, stores a management application for managing a plurality of types of work machines (tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4) and individual applications for operating each work machine. The management server 6 transmits an installer for the application to the management terminal 5 in response to a request to install the application from the logged-in management terminal 5, and transmits an update file for the application to the management terminal 5 in response to an update request.

[0021] The multiple management terminals 5 are terminals capable of remotely controlling multiple types of work machines, namely, the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, and the combine 4, and are configured, for example, as a tablet terminal equipped with a touch panel, a smartphone, a notebook personal computer, etc.

[0022] Each management terminal 5 is pre-loaded with an individual application for operating the corresponding work machine among the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, and the combine harvester 4. That is, the management terminal 5 corresponding to the tractor 2 is pre-loaded with an individual application for operating the tractor 2, the management terminal 5 corresponding to the rice transplanter 3 is pre-loaded with an individual application for operating the rice transplanter 3, and the management terminal 5 corresponding to the combine harvester 4 is pre-loaded with an individual application for operating the combine harvester 4. In addition, each management terminal 5 can later install and load an individual application for operating another work machine other than the individual application pre-loaded. Each management terminal 5 can download an individual application from the management server 6, for example.

[0023] Each management terminal 5 can be equipped with a management application installed to manage multiple types of work machines (tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4) used by workers and multiple work areas (fields). Each management terminal 5 can download the management application from the management server 6, for example.

[0024] Since multiple management terminals 5 may be configured similarly except for the types of individual applications installed, the following describes one management terminal 5. It is assumed that a management application is installed in the management terminal 5 described below.

[0025] In addition, the management terminal 5 described below is written in advance with registered machine information (activation key) specific to the work machines used by the worker, such as the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4. The registered machine information is information issued by an issuing server (not shown) and is registered in the issuing server. The management terminal 5 may register registered machine information for multiple types of work machines, but the registered machine information that can be registered for each type of work machine is only for a work machine with one model number (type information). The work machine with the model number registered in this manner is in an activated state in the management terminal 5. The registered machine information is written to a database in the individual application when the individual application for the work machine is installed in the management terminal 5. The registered machine information includes, for example, the app name of the individual application for the work machine, contract information regarding the automatic driving of the work machine, work machine identification information (serial number) assigned to each work machine, and obstacle sensor status provided on the work machine. The individual application transmits the registered machine information to the management server 6 and stores it as a backup function. As another example, the management application may integrate and manage the registered machine information written to the individual application of each work machine by the management terminal 5. As another example, the management application may transmit the registered machine information written to the individual application of each work machine by the management terminal 5 to the management server 6 in association with the management terminal 5, and integrate and manage the registered machine information by the management server 6.

[0026] 2, the management terminal 5 includes a control device 10 configured with a computer such as a CPU, and the control device 10 is connected to a storage unit 11 such as a ROM, RAM, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, etc., and a communication unit 12 that communicates with external devices. The management terminal 5 also includes a display unit 13 such as a touch panel or a monitor for displaying and outputting various information to an operator, and an input unit 14 such as a touch panel or operation keys for receiving input operations of various information from an operator.

[0027] The storage unit 11 stores programs and data for controlling the various components and functions of the management terminal 5, and the control device 10 controls the various components and functions of the management terminal 5 by executing arithmetic processing based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 stores, for example, management applications and individual applications.

[0028] The communication unit 12 is connected to a communication device of a work machine such as the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, or the combine harvester 4, and the management server 6 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly via a wireless communication antenna. The control device 10 controls the communication unit 12 to perform wireless communication with the communication device of the work machine and the management server 6, and transmits and receives various information between the communication device and the management server 6.

[0029] The control device 10 operates as a first launch unit 20 that launches a management application and a second launch unit 21 that launches individual applications in response to the startup of the management terminal 5 or in response to operations on the input unit 14. The control device 10 that executes the management application operates as a display control unit 22 that displays various screens of the management application on the display unit 13. In addition, the control device 10 that executes the management application operates as a function control unit 23 that executes each function of the management application in response to operations on each screen of the management application.

[0030] The first launch unit 20, the second launch unit 21, the display control unit 22 and the function control unit 23 realize the first launch step, the second launch step, the display control step and the function control step of the management method according to the present invention.

[0031] When the first launch unit 20 launches a management application in response to the launch of the management terminal 5, the display control unit 22 first displays a home screen 30 as shown in FIG. 3 on the display unit 13. On the home screen 30, the display control unit 22 displays a plurality of application launch icons 31 corresponding to the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4, which are a plurality of types of work machines, for launching the respective individual applications in a selectable manner. Note that the home screen 30 may display work machines in which an individual application has already been installed on the management terminal 5 and work machines in which no individual application has been installed, in a distinguishable manner. For example, the application launch icons 31 corresponding to individual applications that have not been installed are displayed in gray or hidden, while the application launch icons 31 corresponding to individual applications that have been installed are normally displayed in a selectable manner.

[0032] The display control unit 22 displays a notification information field 32 on the home screen 30 in which notification information related to management of the work machine can be selected, and for example, displays a list of selection items of the notification information in the notification information field 32. Note that each selection item in the notification information field 32 simply displays the notification date, subject, etc. of each notification information. When notification information is selected from the notification information field 32, the display control unit 22 displays a details screen 40 of the selected notification information on the display unit 13, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the management terminal 5 receives notification information to be displayed in the notification information field 32 from the management server 6 when the management application is started, at predetermined time intervals during the execution of the management application, or when an information update operation is performed via the input unit 14. Note that the display control unit 22 may display both notification information common to all workers and notification information specific to each worker, or may display only one of them.

[0033] The display control unit 22 displays, in a selectable manner, a field icon 33, a data icon 34, an instruction manual icon 35 (manual icon), an application icon 36, a setting icon 37, etc. on the home screen 30. When there are applications that can be updated or installed, the display control unit 22 may add a symbol 38 indicating the presence of these applications to the application icon 36.

[0034] When the field icon 33 is selected, the display control unit 22 displays a field management screen 42 for operating data management of the field, which is a work area, on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 5. The display control unit 22 displays a field management icon 43 and a field acquisition icon 44 on the field management screen 42 so that they can be selected.

[0035] When the field management icon 43 is selected, the display control unit 22 displays a created field data acquisition screen 46 indicating acquisition execution on the display unit 13 for created field data that the operator created and registered in the past automatic travel of the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3, or the combine harvester 4, as shown in FIG. 6. The created field data acquisition screen 46 indicates, for example, success or failure of acquisition of the created field data. When the field acquisition icon 44 is selected, the display control unit 22 displays an analysis field data acquisition screen 47 indicating acquisition execution on the display unit 13 for analysis field data analyzed from the map data, as shown in FIG. 7. Note that, although FIG. 7 shows the analysis field data acquisition screen 47 indicating that the analysis field data is being acquired, the display control unit 22 may display a screen indicating completion of acquisition of the analysis field data on the display unit 13.

[0036] When the data icon 34 is selected, the display control unit 22 displays a data management screen 49 for operating data management of work machine data related to a plurality of types of work machines on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 8. The display control unit 22 displays a backup icon 50 and a restore icon 51 on the data management screen 49 so that they can be selected.

[0037] When the backup icon 50 is selected and operated on the data management screen 49, the display control unit 22 displays a backup management screen 53 for operating the data backup of the work machines owned by the worker on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 9. The display control unit 22 displays a backup selection field 54 on the backup management screen 53 in which the worker can select and operate the work machines used by the worker, such as the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4, and for example, displays a list of work machine selection items in the backup selection field 54. It is preferable that the backup selection field 54 displays selection items for work machines in which individual applications are installed. Note that each selection item in the backup selection field 54 simply displays the type of work machine corresponding to each work machine data, the previous backup date and time of each work machine data, work machine identification information (serial number), etc.

[0038] The display control section 22 displays an operable decision button 55 for deciding the selection operation of a work machine in the backup selection field 54 on the backup management screen 53, and the decision button 55 functions as a backup start button. Alternatively, the display control section 22 may cause the selection operation of a work machine in the backup selection field 54 to function as the backup start button.

[0039] When a work machine is selected from the backup selection field 54 and data backup is executed, the display control section 22 displays a backup execution screen 56 indicating the execution of backup of work machine data for the selected work machine on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 10. The backup execution screen 56 presents, for example, whether the data backup was successful or unsuccessful.

[0040] When the restore icon 51 is selected on the data management screen 49, the display control unit 22 displays a restore management screen 58 for operating data restoration of a work machine owned by the worker on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 11. The display control unit 22 displays a restore selection field 59 on the restore management screen 58 in which a work machine such as a tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, or combine harvester 4 used by the worker can be selected and operated, and, for example, a list of work machine selection items is displayed in the restore selection field 59. It is preferable that the restore selection field 59 displays selection items for work machines on which individual applications are installed.

[0041] The display control section 22 displays an operable decision button 60 for deciding the selection operation of a work machine in the restore selection field 59 on the restore management screen 58. Alternatively, the display control section 22 may cause the selection operation of a work machine in the restore selection field 59 to function as a selection decision.

[0042] When a work machine is selected from the restore selection field 59, the display control unit 22 displays a data selection screen 61 on the display unit 13 for selecting backup data from which to restore the work machine data for the selected work machine, as shown in Fig. 12. The display control unit 22 displays a data selection field 62 on the data selection screen 61 in which work machine data that was backed up in the past (backup data) can be selected for the work machine selected from the restore selection field 59, and displays, for example, a list of backup data selection items in the data selection field 62. Note that each selection item in the data selection field 62 simply displays the backup date and time of the backup data, work machine identification information (serial number), etc.

[0043] The display control unit 22 displays an operation button 63 for deciding the selection operation of the backup data in the data selection field 62 on the data selection screen 61 in an operable manner, and the operation button 63 functions as a restore start button. Alternatively, the display control unit 22 may cause the selection operation of the backup data in the data selection field 62 to function as a restore start button.

[0044] When backup data is selected from the data selection field 62 and data restore is executed, the display control unit 22 displays a restore confirmation screen 64 on the display unit 13 to confirm with the worker whether or not it is OK to restore the work machine data using the selected backup data, as shown in Fig. 13. When the worker permits execution of the restore on the restore confirmation screen 64, the display control unit 22 displays a restore execution screen 65 indicating execution of the restore of the work machine data for the selected backup data on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 14. The restore execution screen 65 presents, for example, the success or failure of the data backup.

[0045] When the instruction manual icon 35 is selected, the display control section 22 displays an instruction manual management screen 67 (manual management screen) for managing operations such as obtaining (downloading) instruction manuals for multiple types of work machines on the display section 13, as shown in Fig. 15. The instruction manual explains how to operate the work machine and the corresponding individual applications.

[0046] The display control unit 22 displays an instruction manual selection field 68 on the instruction manual management screen 67 in which various model numbers (type information) of work machines such as the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4 can be selected and operated, and for example, displays a list of selection items for work machine model numbers in the instruction manual selection field 68. The instruction manual selection field 68 may display selection items for model numbers of work machines for which the management server 6 can provide instruction manuals, regardless of whether the work machine is registered in the management terminal 5 or a work machine for which an individual application is installed. Each selection item in the instruction manual selection field 68 simply displays the type, model number, etc. of the work machine.

[0047] The display control section 22 operably displays a decision button 69 for deciding the selection operation of the work machine model number in the instruction manual selection field 68 on the instruction manual management screen 67, and the decision button 69 functions as a download start button. Alternatively, the display control section 22 may cause the selection operation of the work machine model number in the instruction manual selection field 68 to function as a download start button.

[0048] When the model number of the work machine is selected from the instruction manual selection field 68 and an instruction manual download is executed, the display control section 22 displays an instruction manual acquisition screen 70 indicating the execution of acquisition (downloading) of the instruction manual for the selected model number of the work machine on the display section 13, as shown in Fig. 16. The instruction manual acquisition screen 70 indicates, for example, whether the instruction manual acquisition was successful or unsuccessful.

[0049] When the application icon 36 is selected, the display control unit 22 displays an application management screen 72 for performing management operations such as acquisition (installation) of applications on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 17. The display control unit 22 displays an update icon 73 and an install icon 74 on the application management screen 72 so that they can be selected.

[0050] When the update icon 73 is selected on the application management screen 72, the display control unit 22 displays on the display unit 13 an update management screen 75 for operating updates to management applications and individual applications already installed on the management terminal 5, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0051] The display control unit 22 displays a list of each application status of the management application and individual applications in an application status field 76 on the update management screen 75. Note that each application status in the application status field 76 simply displays the name, type, version information, and presence or absence of updates of the application.

[0052] For example, the name of the application may be a name such as "management" corresponding to a management application, or a name such as "tractor", "rice transplanter" and "combine" corresponding to individual applications of work machines such as the tractor 2, the rice transplanter 3 and the combine 4. The type of application may be an "app" corresponding to the software (program) of the management application or the individual application, an "app help" corresponding to the manual of the management application or the individual application, or a "GUI" corresponding to the screen display of the management application. The presence or absence of an update may be "update available" (indicated by a black circle in FIG. 18) indicating that the version installed in the management terminal 5 is not the latest version, or "no update available" (indicated by no black circle in FIG. 18) indicating that the version is the latest version. At this time, the version of the management application or the individual application installed in the management terminal 5 may be compared with the latest version of the management application or the individual application provided by the management server 6.

[0053] The display control unit 22 displays an execute button 77 for executing an update of an application in an operable manner on the update management screen 75, and the execute button 77 functions as an update start button. The execute button 77 may be an update start button for starting updates of all applications marked as "update available" in the application status field 76, or may be an update start button for individually starting updates of applications selected in the application status field 76. Alternatively, the display control unit 22 may cause the selection of an application in the application status field 76 to function as an update start button.

[0054] When an operation to update an application is performed on the update management screen 75, the display control unit 22 displays an update execution screen 78 indicating the execution of the update of the application on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 19. The update execution screen 78 presents, for example, the success or failure of the update of the application.

[0055] When the installation icon 74 is selected on the application management screen 72, the display control unit 22 displays an installation management screen 79 on the display unit 13, as shown in FIG. 20, for operating the installation of individual applications for multiple types of work machines.

[0056] The display control unit 22 displays, on the installation management screen 79, a number of individual installation icons 80 which correspond to each of the multiple types of work machines, namely, a tractor 2, a rice transplanter 3, and a combine 4, and which are selectable and operable to install each individual application.

[0057] Note that the installation management screen 79 may display in a distinguishable manner between an installed work machine, which has already had an individual application installed in the management terminal 5, and a work machine, which has not had an individual application installed. For example, individual installation icons 80 corresponding to individual applications that have not been installed are normally displayed so as to be selectable, while individual installation icons 80 corresponding to individual applications that have already been installed are displayed in gray or hidden.

[0058] The display control unit 22 displays an execute button 81 for executing the installation of an application in an operable manner on the installation management screen 79, and the execute button 81 functions as an installation start button. Alternatively, the display control unit 22 may cause the selection operation of an individual installation icon 80 on the installation management screen 79 to function as the installation start button.

[0059] When an individual installation icon 80 for any of the work machines is selected on the installation management screen 79 and installation of an individual application is executed, the display control section 22 displays an installation execution screen 82 indicating the execution of installation of the individual application for the selected work machine on the display section 13, as shown in Fig. 21. The installation execution screen 82 presents, for example, whether the installation of the application has succeeded or failed.

[0060] When the setting icon 37 is selected, the display control unit 22 displays a setting management screen 84 for operating management of setting information and the like of the management application on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 22. The display control unit 22 displays an initialization icon 85, a registered machine information icon 86, and a license icon 87 on the setting management screen 84 so that they can be selected.

[0061] When the initialization icon 85 is selected on the setting management screen 84 and the initialization of the management application is executed, the display control unit 22 displays on the display unit 13 an initialization execution screen (not shown) indicating the initialization execution of the management application.

[0062] When the registered machine information icon 86 is selected on the setting management screen 84, the display control unit 22 displays a registered machine information screen 88 for presenting the registered machine information (activation key) of the work machines registered in the management terminal 5 on the display unit 13, as shown in Fig. 23. On the registered machine information screen 88, the display control unit 22 displays a list of the registered machine information of the work machines registered in the management terminal 5 in a registered machine information field 89.

[0063] When the license icon 87 is selected on the setting management screen 84, the display control unit 22 displays on the display unit 13 a license screen (not shown) showing license information of the management application.

[0064] When any one of the application launch icons 31 is selected on the home screen 30 of the display unit 13, the function control unit 23 controls the second launch unit 21 to launch an individual application of the work machine corresponding to the selected application launch icon 31. When the individual application is launched, the management application may be maintained or may be terminated.

[0065] When the field management icon 43 is selected on the field management screen 42 of the display unit 13, the function control unit 23 transmits to the management server 6 an acquisition request for the created field data registered in the management server 6 by the worker, and receives and acquires the created field data from the management server 6. The function control unit 23 stores the received created field data in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 11 of the management terminal 5.

[0066] Furthermore, when the field acquisition icon 44 is selected on the field management screen 42, the function control unit 23 acquires analyzed field data obtained by analyzing the field division based on the map data using an individual application. The function control unit 23 stores the acquired analyzed field data in a predetermined storage area of ​​the storage unit 11 of the management terminal 5. As another example, the function control unit 23 may have a function of analyzing the field division based on the map data. As another example, the management server 6 or another external server may have a function of analyzing the field division based on the map data, and the function control unit 23 may request the analyzed field data from the management server 6 or another external server in response to the selection of the field acquisition icon 44, and receive the analyzed field data analyzed by the management server 6 or another external server.

[0067] The function control unit 23 executes data backup when a work machine is selected from the backup selection field 54 on the backup management screen 53 of the display unit 13 and an instruction to start backup is received by operating the decision button 55. At this time, the function control unit 23 stores a copy of the work machine data of the selected work machine as backup data in a specified storage area of ​​the storage unit 11, and transmits it to the management server 6 to be stored.

[0068] The function control unit 23 executes data restoration when a work machine is selected on the restore management screen 58 of the display unit 13, backup data to be restored is selected on the data selection screen 61, and the decision button 63 is operated to receive an instruction to start restoration. At this time, the function control unit 23 receives a copy of the backup data for the selected work machine from the management server 6, and performs restoration by overwriting the work machine data stored in the memory unit 11 with the received backup data.

[0069] When the model number (type information) of the work machine is selected from the instruction manual selection field 68 on the instruction manual management screen 67 of the display unit 13 and the decision button 69 is operated to receive an instruction to obtain the instruction manual, the function control unit 23 executes download of the instruction manual. At this time, the function control unit 23 receives the instruction manual for the selected model number of the work machine from the management server 6, stores it in a specified storage area of ​​the storage unit 11, and downloads the instruction manual.

[0070] When the execute button 77 is operated on the update management screen 75 of the display unit 13 to receive an instruction to start updating, the function control unit 23 executes the update of the application. At this time, the function control unit 23 receives from the management server 6 an update file for an application whose application status is one that needs an update, among the application types that make up the management application and the individual applications. Then, the function control unit 23 uses the received update file to update the application that needs an update.

[0071] When an individual installation icon 80 is selected on the installation management screen 79 of the display unit 13 and an instruction to start installation is received by operating the execute button 81, the function control unit 23 executes the installation of the application. At this time, the function control unit 23 receives an installer for the individual application corresponding to the selected individual installation icon 80 from the management server 6. Then, the function control unit 23 installs the individual application using the received installer.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, the management terminal 5 for managing the tractor 2, rice transplanter 3, and combine harvester 4, which are multiple types of work machines performing multiple types of work on a farm, includes a memory unit 11 for storing a management application for managing the multiple types of work machines, a control device 10 for launching the management application, and a display unit 13. When the control device 10 launches the management application, it displays multiple application launch icons 31 corresponding to the multiple types of work machines, respectively, on the display unit 13 so that the icons can be selected. In addition, in response to a selection operation of any one of the multiple application launch icons 31, the control device 10 launches an individual application for operating the work machine corresponding to the selected application launch icon 31.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the management method for managing multiple types of work machines each performing multiple types of work in the same work area includes a first startup step of starting a management application for managing the multiple types of work machines on the worker's management terminal 5, a display control step of displaying multiple application startup icons 31 corresponding to the multiple types of work machines respectively in a selectable manner on the display unit 13 of the management terminal 5 by the management application, and a second startup step of starting, in the management terminal 5, an individual application for operating the work machine corresponding to the selected application startup icon 31 in response to a selection operation of any of the multiple application startup icons 31.

[0074] This makes it possible to easily manage multiple types of work machines and their corresponding individual applications by using a single management application, thereby improving the convenience of managing multiple types of work machines.

[0075] Specifically, the work machines are agricultural machines such as a tractor 2, a rice transplanter 3, and a combine harvester 4. This makes it possible to easily manage multiple types of agricultural machines and their corresponding individual applications by using a single management application, thereby improving the convenience of managing multiple types of agricultural machines.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the display control process displays notification information related to the management of work machines in a selectable manner on the home screen 30 on the display unit 13 along with a plurality of application launch icons 31, and also displays a details screen 40 of the selected notification information on the display unit 13 in response to the selection operation of the notification information.

[0077] As a result, by selecting the notification information displayed on the same screen as the application launch icon 31 that launches an individual application of the work machine, the notification information is switched to a detailed screen 40. This makes it possible to easily grasp the notification information and to easily switch to the detailed screen 40, thereby improving convenience.

[0078] According to the present embodiment, the display control step displays a field icon 33 for managing data on a field, which is a work area in which work is performed by a work machine, in a selectable manner on the same home screen 30 as the multiple application launch icons 31 on the display unit 13. The display control step also displays a field management icon 43 and a field acquisition icon 44 in a selectable manner in response to a selection operation of the field icon 33. The function control step of the management method includes a step of acquiring created field data created by past automatic traveling of the work machine in response to a selection operation of the field management icon 43, and a step of acquiring analyzed field data analyzed from map data in response to a selection operation of the field acquisition icon 44.

[0079] As a result, by selecting the application launch icon 31, which launches an individual application for the work machine, and the field icon 33, which is displayed on the same screen, the field management icon 43 and the field acquisition icon 44 are displayed simultaneously, making it possible to easily manage the field and easily acquire created field data and analyzed field data, thereby improving convenience.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the display control process displays a data icon 34 for operating data management related to work machine data used for individual applications of multiple types of work machines in a selectable manner on the same home screen 30 as the multiple application startup icons 31 on the display unit 13. The display control process also displays a backup icon 50 and a restore icon 51 in a selectable manner in response to the selection operation of the data icon 34. Furthermore, the display control process displays a backup management screen 53 for operating work machine data backup in response to the selection operation of the backup icon 50, and displays a restore management screen 58 for operating work machine data restore in response to the selection operation of the restore icon 51.

[0081] As a result, by selecting the application launch icon 31, which launches an individual application for the work machine, and the data icon 34, which is displayed on the same screen, the backup icon 50 and the restore icon 51 are displayed simultaneously, and further, by selecting the backup icon 50, the screen switches to the backup management screen 53, and by selecting the restore icon 51, the screen switches to the restore management screen 58. This makes it possible to easily manage backups of work machine data and to easily back up and restore work machine data, thereby improving convenience.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the display control step displays an instruction manual icon 35 for operating instruction manual management for multiple types of work machines in a selectable manner on the same home screen 30 as the multiple application startup icons 31 on the display unit 13. The display control step also displays an instruction manual management screen 67 for downloading the instruction manual of the work machine in response to the selection operation of the instruction manual icon 35, and displays model numbers as multiple type information of the multiple types of work machines in a selectable manner on the instruction manual management screen 67. The function control step also includes a step of downloading the instruction manual of the work machine corresponding to the selected model number in response to the selection operation of the model number.

[0083] As a result, by selecting the application launch icon 31, which launches an individual application for the work machine, or the instruction manual icon 35 displayed on the same screen, the screen switches to an instruction manual management screen 67, in which the model number of the work machine is displayed for each instruction manual, and by selecting the model number of the work machine, the instruction manual corresponding to that model number is downloaded. This makes it possible to easily manage the instruction manuals for the work machines and to easily download the instruction manuals, thereby improving convenience.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the display control process displays an application icon 36 for managing individual applications for multiple types of work machines in a selectable manner on the same screen as the multiple application startup icons 31 on the display unit 13. The display control process also displays an update icon 73 and an install icon 74 in a selectable manner in response to a selection operation of the application icon 36. Furthermore, the display control process displays an update management screen 75 for operating updates for individual applications in response to a selection operation of the update icon 73, and displays an install management screen 79 for operating installation of individual applications in response to a selection operation of the install icon 74.

[0085] As a result, by selecting the app launch icon 31, which launches an individual application of the work machine, and the app icon 36 displayed on the same screen, the update icon 73 and the install icon 74 are displayed simultaneously, and further, by selecting the update icon 73, the screen switches to the update management screen 75, and by selecting the install icon 74, the screen switches to the install management screen 79. Therefore, application updates and installation can be simply and easily managed, thereby improving convenience.

[0086] According to this embodiment, the display control step displays, on the installation management screen 79, work machines in which an individual application has been installed and work machines in which an individual application has not been installed in a distinguishable manner.

[0087] This makes it possible to visually determine whether an individual application has been installed or not, thereby improving the convenience of managing individual applications.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the work machine of the present invention is composed of agricultural machines such as a tractor 2, a rice transplanter 3 and a combine harvester 4, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the work machine of the present invention may be composed of machines that perform different tasks in the same work area.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and the management method, management terminal, and management system involving such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Management System 2 Tractor (working machine) 3 Rice transplanter (working machine) 4 Combine (working machine) 5. Management terminal 6 Management Server 10 Control device 11 Storage section 13 Display section 20 1st startup part 21 Second starting part 22 Display control unit 23 Function control section 30 Home Screen 31 App launcher icon 32 Notification information field 33 Field Icon 34 Data Icon 35 Instruction Manual Icon 36 App Icons 40 Details screen 42 Field management screen 43 Field Management Icons 44 Field acquisition icon 46 Created field data acquisition screen 47 Analysis field data acquisition screen 49 Data Management Screen 50 Backup Icon 51 Restore Icon 53 Backup Management Screen 58 Restore Management Screen 67 Instruction manual management screen 72 App management screen 73 Update Icon 74 Install Icon 75 Update Management Screen 79 Installation Management Screen

Claims

1. A management method for managing a plurality of types of work vehicles each performing a plurality of types of work on a field on a terminal of a worker equipped with a management application for managing the work vehicles, and a plurality of individual applications for operating each of the plurality of types of work vehicles, comprising: a display control step of displaying, by the management application in response to the startup of the management application, a plurality of application startup icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of work vehicles in a selectable manner on a display unit of the terminal; a launching process of launching, on the terminal, the individual application for operating the work vehicle corresponding to the selected application launch icon by the management application in response to a selection operation of any of the plurality of application launch icons.

2. The management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control process displays notification information regarding the management of the work vehicle in a selectable manner on the same screen as the multiple app launch icons on the display unit, and displays a details screen of the selected notification information on the display unit in response to the selection operation of the notification information.

3. the display control step includes displaying, on the display unit, a field icon for operating data management of the field on the same screen as the plurality of application launch icons, in a selectable manner; displaying a field management icon and a field acquisition icon in a selectable manner in response to a selection operation of the field icon; acquiring created field data created during past automatic traveling of the work vehicle in response to a selection operation of the field management icon; 3. The management method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of acquiring analyzed field data analyzed from map data in response to a selection operation of the field acquisition icon.

4. The display control step includes displaying, on the display unit, the plurality of application startup icons and a data icon for operating data management of the plurality of types of work vehicles in a selectable manner on the same screen; displaying a backup icon and a restore icon in a selectable manner in response to a selection operation of the data icon; displaying a backup management screen for operating a data backup of the work vehicle in response to a selection operation of the backup icon; 4. The management method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a restore management screen for operating data restoration of the work vehicle in response to a selection operation of the restore icon.

5. The display control step includes displaying, on the display unit, an instruction manual icon for operating instruction manual management for the plurality of types of work vehicles in a selectable manner on the same screen as the plurality of application startup icons, displaying an instruction manual management screen for downloading an instruction manual for the work vehicle in response to a selection operation of the instruction manual icon; On the instruction manual management screen, a plurality of types of information of the plurality of types of work vehicles are displayed in a selectable manner. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of downloading an instruction manual for the work vehicle corresponding to the selected type information in response to a selection operation of the type information.

6. The display control step includes displaying, on the display unit, an application icon for managing the individual applications of the plurality of types of work vehicles in a selectable manner on the same screen as the plurality of application startup icons, displaying an update icon and an install icon in a selectable manner in response to a selection operation of the application icon; displaying an update management screen for operating updates for the individual applications in response to a selection operation of the update icon; 6. The management method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying an installation management screen for operating the installation of the individual application in response to a selection operation of the installation icon.

7. The management method according to claim 6, characterized in that the display control step displays, on the installation management screen, the work vehicles in which the individual application has been installed and the work vehicles in which the individual application has not been installed in a distinguishable manner.

8. 8. The management method according to claim 1, wherein the work vehicle is an agricultural work vehicle.

9. A management terminal that is equipped with a management application for managing a plurality of types of work vehicles each performing a plurality of types of work on a farm field, and a plurality of individual applications for operating each of the plurality of types of work vehicles, and that manages the work vehicles, a storage unit that stores the management application; a control device that launches the management application; A display unit, When the control device starts the management application, the control device displays, on the display unit, a plurality of application startup icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of work vehicles in a selectable manner; A management terminal characterized in that, in response to a selection operation of any of the plurality of application launch icons, the management application launches the individual application for operating the work vehicle corresponding to the selected application launch icon.

10. A management system for managing a plurality of types of work vehicles each performing a plurality of types of work on a farm field, and a plurality of individual applications for operating each of the plurality of types of work vehicles, on a terminal of a worker equipped with the management application, the management system managing the work vehicles, Launching the management application on the terminal; a display unit of the terminal that displays a plurality of application startup icons corresponding to the plurality of types of work vehicles in a selectable manner by the management application; A management system characterized in that, in response to a selection operation of any of the plurality of application launch icons, the management application launches, on the terminal, the individual application for operating the work vehicle corresponding to the selected application launch icon.

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