Operating information recording device for construction machinery

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of preventing operation information of a construction machine from leaked out to a third person.SOLUTION: An operation information recording device (200) includes: a storage device (220) which is configured to store operation information (221) of a construction machine (100); and a control device (210) which is configured to execute at least deletion processing of deleting the operation information from the storage device when a predetermined condition to be established at a timing before the construction machine is delivered to a second passenger that is a next passenger from a first passenger has been established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for recording operation information of construction machinery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, at a construction site, construction machinery equipped with a plurality of cameras has been used. The construction machinery uses the plurality of cameras to acquire images around the construction machinery as operation information. The operation information is used in various scenes. For example, an operator may monitor the images around the construction machinery in real time. Further, the operation information may be recorded like a drive recorder of an automobile. The recorded operation information is used for verification of accidents and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The operation information of the construction machinery (including the images around the construction machinery) may include personal information and confidential information that is desired to be kept non - public. Therefore, it is required to prevent the operation information from leaking to a third party. In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting access to the images around a vehicle from outside the vehicle occupants.

[0005] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot solve the specific problems in construction machinery. In the construction industry, rental companies often lend construction machinery to a plurality of different users. For example, after the current operator uses the construction machinery, the next operator, who is a third party to the current operator, may use the same construction machinery. The operation information is usually recorded in the construction machinery. Therefore, there is a risk that the operation information may leak to a third party (the next operator).

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a technology capable of preventing the operation information of construction machinery from leaking to a third party.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In one or more embodiments, an operation information recording device mounted on a construction machine is provided. The operation information recording device includes a storage device configured to store the operation information of the construction machine, and a control device configured to at least execute a deletion process of deleting the operation information from the storage device when a predetermined condition that is established at a timing before the construction machine is handed over from a first passenger to a second passenger who is the next passenger is satisfied.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the operation information of the construction machinery from leaking to a third party (the second passenger).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] Hereinafter, a hydraulic excavator will be described as an example of a construction machine, but the technology of the present disclosure is also applicable to other construction machines.

[0012] <Example 1> (Configuration of Construction Machine) FIG. 1 is a side view of a construction machine 100. The construction machine 100 includes an upper swing body 110, a lower traveling body 120, and a front device 130.

[0013] The upper swing body 110 includes an engine 111 as a prime mover and a main pump 112 driven by the engine 111. The upper swing body 110, the lower traveling body 120, and the front device 130 operate independently by the hydraulic oil sent by the main pump 112.

[0014] The upper swing body 110 is connected to the lower traveling body 120 with a swing hydraulic motor 113 as an axis. The upper swing body 110 swings by the drive of the swing hydraulic motor 113.

[0015] The lower traveling body 120 includes a pair of crawlers (only one side is shown in FIG. 1) 121 and a traveling hydraulic motor 122. The pair of crawlers 121 operate by the drive of the traveling hydraulic motor 122.

[0016] The front device 130 is mounted on the upper swing body 110. The front device 130 includes a boom 131, a boom cylinder 132 for driving the boom 131, an arm 133, an arm cylinder 134 for driving the arm 133, a bucket 135, and a bucket cylinder 136 for driving the bucket 135.

[0017] Each cylinder (132, 134, 136) expands and contracts by the hydraulic oil sent from the main pump 112. The boom 131 and the upper swing body 110 are connected via a rotation shaft 137. The boom 131 and the arm 133 are connected via a rotation shaft 138. The arm 133 and the bucket 135 are connected via a rotation shaft 139. By rotating the boom 131, the arm 133, and the bucket 135 independently, the construction machine 100 can perform operations such as excavation and ground leveling.

[0018] (Configuration of the operation information recording device) Figure 2 is a system configuration diagram of the operation information recording device 200. The operation information recording device 200 is mounted on the construction machine 100. The operation information recording device 200 includes a control device 210 and a storage device 220.

[0019] The construction machine 100 includes a front camera 251, a right camera 252, a left camera 253, and a rear camera 254 so as to surround the periphery of the driver's seat. These cameras 251 to 254 are imaging devices for acquiring images around the construction machine 100.

[0020] The control device 210 includes one or more ECUs. An ECU is an abbreviation for an electronic control unit, which is an electronic control circuit having a microcomputer as a component. The control device 210 includes at least a CPU 211, a RAM 212, and a ROM 213. The CPU 211 uses the RAM 212 as a work memory and executes program codes (instructions) stored in the ROM 213. Thereby, the CPU 211 can execute the processes described hereinafter.

[0021] The storage device 220 is a non-volatile memory capable of reading and writing information. The storage device 220 stores operation information 221, setting information 222, and authority information 223.

[0022] The control device 210 is connected to cameras 251 to 254. The control device 210 acquires videos from each of the cameras 251 to 254. The control device 210 synthesizes the acquired videos to create a synthesized video.

[0023] The control device 210 is connected to a plurality of ECUs 260 in the construction machine 100 via an in-vehicle network such as CAN. The control device 210 acquires vehicle body information from the plurality of ECUs 260. The vehicle body information includes, for example, the rotational speed of the engine 111, the traveling information of a pair of crawlers 121, the turning information of the upper swing body 110, and the operation information of the front device 130.

[0024] The control device 210 synchronizes the synthesized video and the vehicle body information using time information (time). The control device 210 stores the combination of the synthesized video and the vehicle body information in the storage device 220 as operation information 221. In this way, the control device 210 can accumulate the operation information 221 in the storage device 220.

[0025] The setting information 222 includes information regarding the rental period (usage period) of the construction machine 100. The rental period represents the period during which the user can use the construction machine 100. The rental period is set using an operation information browsing tool described later.

[0026] The authority information 223 is information that sets the authority of the user who accesses the operation information 221. Details of the authority information 223 will be described later.

[0027] The control device 210 is connected to the communication device 230. The communication device 230 can communicate with a plurality of information processing devices 291 to 293 via the communication network 280. The communication network 280 is, for example, one of a mobile phone network, the Internet, and short-range wireless communication, or a combination of two or more of them.

[0028] Each of the information processing devices 291 to 293 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The information processing device 291 is a PC (Personal Computer), the information processing device 292 is a cloud server, and the information processing device 293 is a mobile terminal (smartphone).

[0029] Each of the information processing devices 291 to 293 can access the operation information 221 stored in the storage device 220 using a predetermined tool or application.

[0030] (Operation Information Browsing Tool) FIG. 3 is a screen 300 of the operation information browsing tool. The operation information browsing tool is software for a PC and is installed in the information processing devices 291 and 292. Note that the screen 300 is a screen displayed on the display of the information processing device 291.

[0031] The screen 300 includes a video display unit 310, a vehicle body information display unit 320, and an operation unit 330. The video display unit 310 is a part that displays the composite video among the operation information 221. The composite video is a video in which the videos acquired by the cameras 251 to 254 are arranged vertically and horizontally. The video display unit 310 includes a play button 311, a stop button 312, and a first seek bar 313. The play button 311 is a button for starting the playback of the composite video. The stop button 312 is a button for stopping the playback of the composite video. The first seek bar 313 is used to move left and right to select the start point of playback in the composite video.

[0032] The vehicle body information display unit 320 is a part that displays the vehicle body information among the operation information 221. The vehicle body information acquired during the period when the composite video is acquired is displayed in a waveform format on the vehicle body information display unit 320. Note that the vehicle body information display unit 320 includes a second seek bar 321. The second seek bar 321 automatically moves left and right in synchronization with the position of the first seek bar 313.

[0033] The operation unit 330 has a rental period setting button 331, an upload button 332, a download button 333, a delete button 334, and a detailed setting button 335. The rental period setting button 331 is a button for setting the rental period of the construction machine 100. When the user (rental company) clicks the rental period setting button 331, a calendar is displayed in a pop-up window. The user (rental company) can select the date that will be the rental period from the calendar. When the user selects a date, that date is stored in the storage device 220 as the rental period (setting information 222). Furthermore, the set rental period is displayed at the upper part of the screen 300.

[0034] The upload button 332 is a button for uploading the currently displayed operation information 221 to the information processing device 292 (cloud server). That is, when the user clicks the upload button 332, the currently displayed operation information 221 is saved in the information processing device 292. Therefore, even if the operation information 221 in the storage device 220 is deleted as described later, the user can view the operation information 221 on the information processing device 292.

[0035] The download button 333 is a button for downloading the currently displayed operation information 221 to the information processing device 291 (PC). That is, when the user clicks the download button 333, the currently displayed operation information 221 is saved in the information processing device 291. Therefore, even if the operation information 221 in the storage device 220 is deleted as described later, the user can view the operation information 221 on the information processing device 291.

[0036] The delete button 334 is a button for deleting the currently displayed operation information 221 from the storage device 220.

[0037] The detailed settings button 335 is a button for setting the wireless LAN of the operation information viewing tool, changing the password, etc., and changing / editing the signals of the vehicle body information displayed on the vehicle body information display unit 320. When the user clicks the detailed settings button 335, a screen for making the above changes is displayed in a pop-up window.

[0038] (Operation Information Viewing Application) Figure 4 shows the screen 400 of the operation information viewing application. The operation information viewing application is an application for a mobile terminal and is installed in the information processing device 293. The screen 400 is a screen displayed on the display of the information processing device 293.

[0039] The screen 400 has a video display unit 410. The video display unit 410 is a part for displaying the composite video among the operation information 221. The video display unit 410 has a play button 411, a stop button 412, and a first seek bar 413. Since the functions of the components 411 to 413 of the video display unit 410 are the same as those of the components 311 to 313 of the above-described video display unit 310, the description is omitted. Note that the screen 400 is only a screen for checking the composite video. The user cannot upload, download, delete, etc. the operation information 221 on the screen 400.

[0040] (User Authority) Figure 5 is a diagram showing the authority information 223. In this example, the users who access the operation information 221 of the storage device 220 include the first user, the second user, and the third user. The accounts of each user are managed by an ID and a password. The control device 210 can give the authorities shown in Figure 5 to each user according to the ID and the password.

[0041] The first user is a user (company) that provides the operation and service of the construction machine 100 and has the authority of a system administrator. The first user has all the authorities regarding the operation information 221. In this example, the first user uses the information processing device 292 (cloud server) to access the operation information 221.

[0042] The second user is a user (rental company) that leases the construction machine 100 and has authorities other than the upload and detailed settings of the operation information 221. That is, the second user can view the operation information 221, delete the operation information 221, set the rental period, and download the operation information 221. In this example, the second user uses the information processing device 291 (PC) to access the operation information 221. When the second user uses the operation information viewing tool on the information processing device 291, the upload button 332 and the detailed settings button 335 are not displayed (or set to inactive) on the screen 300.

[0043] The third user is a user who is the lessee of the construction machine 100 and is either a passenger who actually rides on the construction machine 100 or the administrator of its work site. The third user has the authority to only view the operation information 221. In this example, the third user uses the information processing device 293 (mobile terminal) to access the operation information 221. Therefore, the third user can only view the operation information 221 (see FIG. 4, screen 400).

[0044] In this way, the control device 210 separately sets in the authority information 223 a user (the third user) who has the authority to only view the operation information 221 and a user (for example, the second user) who has the authority to set the rental period. Since the operations by the third user (i.e., the passenger) are restricted, it is possible to prevent the third user from performing inappropriate operations (such as deleting the operation information 221 or setting the rental period).

[0045] Note that the third user may access the operation information 221 using the information processing device 291 (PC). In this case, the operation unit 330 is not displayed on the screen 300.

[0046] (Overview of the processing of the operation information recording device) Hereinafter, the operator currently using the construction machine 100 is referred to as the "first operator", and the operator who is scheduled to use the construction machine 100 next after the first operator is referred to as the "second operator". In this embodiment, the control device 210 deletes the operation information 221 when a predetermined deletion condition is satisfied. The deletion condition is a condition that is satisfied at the timing before the construction machine 100 is handed over from the first operator to the second operator. By setting such a deletion condition, it is possible to prevent the operation information 221 acquired while the first operator was using the construction machine 100 from leaking to a third party (the second operator).

[0047] The deletion condition in this example is a condition related to the rental period of the construction machine 100. This is for the following reason. The rental company (the second user) sets the rental period for the first operator using the operation information viewing tool before lending out the construction machine 100. The first operator uses the construction machine 100 until the rental period and returns the construction machine 100 to the rental company. After the construction machine 100 is returned (that is, after the rental period for the first operator has passed), the rental company should access the control device 210 using the operation information viewing tool and set the rental period for the second operator. Since the construction machine 100 has not yet been handed over to the second operator at this point, it is considered preferable to use this timing as a trigger to delete the operation information 221.

[0048] In consideration of the above, when the control device 210 is accessed from outside the construction machine 100 after the preset rental deadline has passed, the control device 210 determines that the deletion condition is satisfied. When the control device 210 determines that the deletion condition is satisfied, the control device 210 executes a deletion process of deleting the operation information 221 from the storage device 220. Since the operation information 221 is automatically deleted before the construction machine 100 is delivered to the second passenger, it is possible to prevent the operation information 221 from leaking to a third party (the second passenger).

[0049] Furthermore, in addition to the deletion process, the control device 210 executes a backup process of uploading the operation information 221 to the outside of the construction machine 100 (in this example, the information processing device 291) via the communication network 280 before the deletion process. In the backup process, the operation information 221 is stored outside the construction machine 100. Therefore, even after the rental deadline has passed, for example, the second user can verify an accident or the like using the backed-up operation information 221.

[0050] Note that, as a backup process, the control device 210 uploads the operation information 221 to the device that has accessed the control device 210.

[0051] (Detailed processing flow of the operation information recording device) FIG. 6 is a flowchart executed by the control device 210. First, the control device 210 executes a predetermined initialization process (S601). The initialization process includes, for example, a process of clearing the cache in the control device 210.

[0052] Next, the control device 210 receives the input of the ID and password from the information processing devices 291 to 293 (S602). When the ID and password are input, the control device 210 performs user authentication (S603).

[0053] Next, the control device 210 determines which user among the first to third users the current user corresponds to according to the result of user authentication (S604). Hereinafter, the processing for each of the first user, the second user, and the third user will be described.

[0054] · First user When the current user is the first user, the control device 210 permits the use of the operation information browsing tool (S610). The control device 210 gives all the authorities to the first user according to the authority information 223 shown in FIG. 5.

[0055] · Second user When the current user is the second user, the control device 210 refers to the storage device 220 and determines whether the rental deadline (setting information 222) has been set (S605). If the rental deadline has not been set yet, the control device 210 determines "No" in S605 and proceeds to S609. The control device 210 displays a calendar in a pop-up on the screen 300 for setting the rental deadline (S609). The second user selects the date that will be the rental deadline from the calendar. Then, the control device 210 returns to S605. The control device 210 proceeds from S605 to S610 via S606. The control device 210 permits the use of the operation information browsing tool (S610).

[0056] On the contrary, if the rental deadline has been set, the control device 210 determines "Yes" in S605 and determines whether the current time is within the rental deadline (S606). If the current time is within the rental deadline, the control device 210 determines "Yes" in S606 and permits the use of the operation information browsing tool (S610). The control device 210 gives the second user authorities other than uploading and detailed setting of the operation information 221 according to the authority information 223 shown in FIG. 5.

[0057] On the other hand, if the rental period has already passed, the control device 210 determines "No" in S606 and executes the backup process of the operation information 221 (S607). In this example, the control device 210 uploads the operation information 221 to the information processing device 291 that has accessed the control device 210. Next, the control device 210 executes the deletion process of the operation information 221 (S608). Next, the control device 210 displays a calendar in a pop-up on the screen 300 for setting the rental period (S609). The second user selects the date that will be the rental period from the calendar. After that, the control device 210 returns to S605. The control device 210 proceeds from S605 to S610 via S606. The control device 210 permits the use of the operation information browsing tool (S610).

[0058] · Third user When the current user is the third user, the control device 210 determines whether it is currently within the rental period (S611). If it is currently within the rental period, the control device 210 determines "Yes" in S611 and permits the use of the operation information browsing application (S612). The control device 210 gives the third user only the permission to view the operation information 221 according to the permission information 223 shown in FIG. 5.

[0059] Note that if the rental period has already passed, the control device 210 determines "No" in S611. In this case, the use of the operation information browsing application is not permitted. Therefore, the third user cannot view the operation information 221.

[0060] (Effect) When the operation information recording device 200 having the above configuration is accessed from the outside (information processing device 291) of the construction machine 100 to the control device 210 after the preset rental deadline has passed, it executes a deletion process of the operation information 221. In particular, the composite video included in the operation information 221 may include personal information of the first passenger and confidential information that is desired to be kept confidential. However, since the operation information 221 is deleted before the construction machine 100 is handed over to the second passenger, who is the next passenger, it is possible to prevent personal information and confidential information from leaking to the second passenger.

[0061] Furthermore, in addition to the deletion process, the operation information recording device 200 executes a backup process of the operation information 221 before the deletion process. If an accident or the like has occurred in the construction machine 100, even after the rental deadline has passed, it is possible to verify the accident or the like using the backed-up operation information 221.

[0062] <Example 2> The deletion condition of this embodiment is a condition related to the position of the construction machine 100. After the use of the construction machine 100 by the first passenger is completed, the construction machine 100 is moved to a predetermined location where it should be before being handed over to the second passenger. For example, the predetermined location is the base of the rental company. When the construction machine 100 moves to the base of the rental company, since the construction machine 100 has not yet been handed over to the second passenger at this time, it is considered preferable to use this timing as a trigger for deleting the operation information 221. Therefore, the control device 210 determines that the deletion condition is satisfied when the construction machine 100 moves to the base of the rental company.

[0063] To determine the above deletion condition, the communication device 230 further includes a GPS receiver. The GPS receiver receives a GPS signal for detecting the latitude and longitude of the location where the construction machine 100 is located. Furthermore, the storage device 220 further stores map information. Therefore, the control device 210 can determine the position of the construction machine 100 on the map.

[0064] (Detailed processing flow of the operation information recording device) FIG. 7 is a flowchart executed by the control device 210. In FIG. 7, for the same processes as those in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given and their descriptions are omitted. Hereinafter, only the case where the current user is the second user will be described.

[0065] ·Second user When the current user is the second user, the control device 210 proceeds from S604 to S701. The control device 210 determines whether operation information 221 exists in the storage device 220 (S701). If the operation information 221 does not exist in the storage device 220, the control device 210 determines "No" in S701 and permits the use of the operation information browsing tool (S610).

[0066] If the operation information 221 exists in the storage device 220, the control device 210 determines "Yes" in S701. Next, the control device 210 determines whether the current position of the construction machine 100 is the base of the rental company (S702). If the current position of the construction machine 100 is the base of the rental company, the control device 210 determines "Yes" in S702, executes a backup process of the operation information 221 (S703), and executes a deletion process of the operation information 221 (S704). Thereafter, the control device 210 returns to S701. The control device 210 proceeds from S701 to S610. The second user (rental company) can set a rental deadline for the second passenger using the operation information browsing tool.

[0067] If the current position of the construction machine 100 is not the base of the rental company, it means that the first passenger is still using the construction machine 100. Therefore, the control device 210 determines "No" in S702 and permits the use of the operation information browsing tool (S610).

[0068] When the construction machine 100 moves to the rental company's base (the place where it should be before being handed over to the second passenger), the operation information recording device 200 having the above configuration executes the deletion process of the operation information 221. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation information 221 of the construction machine 100 from leaking to the second passenger. Furthermore, in the case where the construction work is prolonged and the first passenger may use the construction machine 100 even after the initially set rental period has passed, the operation information 221 can be deleted at an appropriate timing when the construction machine 100 is returned to the rental company's base.

[0069] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] In FIG. 6, S607 may be omitted. Furthermore, in FIG. 7, S703 may be omitted. Even in this configuration, it is possible to prevent the operation information 221 of the construction machine 100 from leaking to a third party (the second passenger).

[0071] The routine in FIG. 6 may be changed so as to proceed from S604 to S605 when the current user is the first user. In this case, the operation information recording device 200 also executes the deletion process and the backup process of the operation information 221 even when accessed from the information processing device 292 to the control device 210 after the preset rental period has passed. Similarly, the routine in FIG. 7 may be changed so as to proceed from S604 to S701 when the current user is the first user.

[0072] Furthermore, instead of separately executing the deletion process and the backup process, it can also be executed as a process of moving the operation information 221 stored in the storage device 220 to an external information processing device 291. Also, as a deletion condition, it is possible to use only the condition that the rental period has passed without requiring access to the control device 210 after the rental period has elapsed.

Industrial Applicability

[0073] The above configuration is used in the industry that manufactures construction machines equipped with an operation information recording device and in rental companies that lease construction machines.

Explanation of Signs

[0074] 100... Construction machine, 200... Operation information recording device, 210... Control device, 220... Storage device.

Claims

1. An operating information recording device mounted on a construction machine, comprising: a storage device configured to store the operating information of the construction machine; a control device that authenticates a user having only the right to view the operating information and a user having at least the right to view the operating information and set the usage period of the construction machine; and the control device is configured to at least execute a deletion process of deleting the operation information from the storage device when a predetermined condition is satisfied at a timing before the construction machine is handed over from a first passenger to a second passenger who is the next passenger, and the authenticated user has the right to view the operation information and set the usage period of the construction machine; an operating information recording device.

2. An operating information recording device mounted on a construction machine, comprising: a storage device configured to store the operating information of the construction machine; a control device that authenticates a user having the right to set the usage period of the construction machine; and the control device is configured to at least execute a deletion process of deleting the operation information from the storage device when a predetermined condition is satisfied at a timing before the construction machine is handed over from a first passenger to a second passenger who is the next passenger, and the authenticated user has the right to set the usage period of the construction machine; configured to determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the user authenticated after the expiration of the preset usage period of the construction machine for the first passenger accesses the control device; an operating information recording device.

3. The operating information recording device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to execute a backup process of storing the operating information outside the construction machine via a network before the deletion process in addition to the deletion process. an operating information recording device.

4. The operating information recording device according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to store the operating information in the device that has accessed the control device as the backup process. an operating information recording device.

5. The operating information recording device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to set, as the user to be authenticated, a user having only the right to view the operating information and the user having at least the right to set the usage period. Operating information recording device.

6. An operating information recording device mounted on a construction machine, a storage device configured to store the operating information of the construction machine, a control device that authenticates a user having the authority to set the usage period of the construction machine, comprising: the control device is configured to execute at least a deletion process of deleting the operation information from the storage device when a predetermined condition that is established at a timing before the construction machine is handed over from a first passenger to a second passenger who is the next passenger is satisfied, and the authenticated user has the authority to set the usage period of the construction machine, is configured to determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the construction machine moves to a predetermined location that should exist before being handed over to the second passenger, Operating information recording device.

7. In the operating information recording device according to claim 6, the control device is configured to execute a backup process of storing the operation information outside the construction machine via a network before the deletion process, in addition to the deletion process, Operating information recording device.

8. In the operating information recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising at least one camera, wherein the operating information includes an image around the construction machine acquired by the camera, Operating information recording device.

Images