Collection Management System

Abstract

To provide a collection managing system that improves the collection efficiency of an object to be collected.SOLUTION: In a collection managing system 1, information terminals 3 of a plurality of collecting vehicles 2 each includes: a collection plan obtaining unit 21 that obtains a collection plan which contains a plurality of collection sites set within a collection section including a stationary area and a variable area, and information on the collecting vehicle allocated to each collection site; a progress managing unit 24 that transmits, to a managing device 5, information on the progress of a collection work for the object to be collected in accordance with the collection plan; and a collection plan updating unit 25 that updates the collection plan. A substitute collection instructing unit 45 of the managing device notifies the information terminal of a second collecting vehicle which has completed the collection works at all collection sites within the allocated stationary area among the plurality of collecting vehicles, of an instruction of substitute collection at sites where collection is not completed yet within the variable area allocated to the first collecting vehicle among the plurality of collecting vehicles. The collection plan updating unit of the information terminal changes the allocation for the site where collection is not completed yet from the first collecting vehicle to the second collecting vehicle when receiving the instruction for the substitute collection from the managing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a collection management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems for managing multiple collection vehicles that collect materials to be collected are known. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a system that includes a headquarters device that manages the progress of cargo collection work and a collection vehicle-mounted device mounted on each collection vehicle. This collection vehicle-mounted device uses a sensor device to manage the amount of cargo loaded in a container, and if the container becomes fully loaded along the collection route, it sends information to the headquarters device to stop collecting cargo while leaving uncollected points. The headquarters device then instructs other collection vehicles with excess load capacity to take over collection at the uncollected points. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-239401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above system, by having other collection vehicles take over collection of uncollected points in place of a fully loaded collection vehicle, the fully loaded collection vehicle is no longer required to travel back and forth between the collection base and the uncollected points, thereby improving the collection efficiency of the collected materials. However, if the collection route of the other collection vehicle taking over collection work at the uncollected points is significantly changed, the travel distance of the other collection vehicle may increase, which may increase the time it takes to complete the collection work. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the collection efficiency of the collected materials.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a collection management system that improves the efficiency of collecting items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, a collection management system is provided that includes multiple information terminals mounted on multiple collection vehicles that collect materials to be collected, and a management device that manages the multiple collection vehicles. Each of the multiple information terminals includes a collection plan acquisition unit that acquires a collection plan that includes multiple collection points set within a collection zone that includes a fixed area and a variable area, and information about collection vehicles assigned to each collection point, a progress management unit that transmits information about the progress of collection work for the materials to be collected in accordance with the collection plan to the management device, and a collection plan update unit that updates the collection plan. The management device includes a proxy collection instruction unit that notifies the information terminal of a second collection vehicle of the multiple collection vehicles that has completed collection work at all assigned collection points in the fixed area, which is assigned to a first collection vehicle, of a proxy collection of uncollected points in the variable area assigned to the first collection vehicle. When the collection plan update unit receives the proxy collection instruction from the management device, it changes the assignment of the uncollected points from the first collection vehicle to the second collection vehicle.

[0007] In the collection management system according to this aspect, the collection work of the uncollected points assigned to the first collection vehicle is assigned to the second collection vehicle, which has completed collection work at all collection points within the fixed area, thereby reducing the time required to collect the materials within the collection area. In this case, the uncollected points subject to reassignment are limited to within the variable area, preventing significant changes to the collection route of the second collection vehicle. This prevents a significant increase in the travel distance of the second collection vehicle, improving the efficiency of the collection work.

[0008] In one embodiment, the collection plan further includes information about a plurality of collection routes connecting some of the plurality of collection points, the plurality of collection routes including a common end point, and the variable area may be set closer to the end points of the plurality of collection routes than the fixed area. By assigning a collection point close to the end point to the second collection vehicle, a significant change in the collection route of the second collection vehicle can be avoided, thereby suppressing an increase in the travel distance of the second collection vehicle. This can improve the efficiency of the collection work of the collected items.

[0009] In one embodiment, when the collection plan update unit receives a proxy collection instruction from the management device, it may send information to the information terminal of the first collection vehicle inquiring about whether or not to change the allocation of the uncollected points, and when it receives a notice of permission to change the allocation from the information terminal of the first collection vehicle, it may change the allocation of the uncollected points from the first collection vehicle to the second collection vehicle. In this embodiment, the allocation of the uncollected points is changed after receiving a notice of permission from the first collection vehicle, so it is possible to prevent the allocation of collection points from being changed against the intention of the worker of the first collection vehicle. This allows for smooth allocation changes between multiple collection vehicles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect and various embodiments of the present invention, the efficiency of collection of objects to be collected can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a collection management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of collection routes set in a collection area. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a collection management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of collection plan information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of progress information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proxy collection operation. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a collection management method according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 shows an example of information displayed on an information terminal. [Figure 9] 10 shows an example of information displayed on the management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, a collection management system according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted.

[0013] [Overview of the collection management system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a collection management system 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the collection management system 1 includes a plurality of information terminals 3 mounted on a plurality of collection vehicles 2, respectively, and a management device 5 that manages the plurality of collection vehicles 2. The collection management system 1 is used to efficiently collect materials that are discharged at a plurality of collection points set up within a predetermined work area, such as the administrative district of a local government. The materials to be collected are, for example, waste such as household waste or industrial waste. The collection vehicles 2 are, for example, refuse trucks that collect waste.

[0014] Collection of collected materials is generally carried out by multiple collection vehicles 2 working together. Each of the multiple collection vehicles 2 travels along its assigned collection route and sequentially collects collected materials placed at multiple collection points on the collection route. A collection point is a location, such as a garbage dump, where collected materials are collected from the vicinity of the collection point. A collection route is a path connecting several collection points assigned to each collection vehicle 2. The amount of collected materials to be collected at a collection point varies daily depending on factors such as the season, the day of the week, or whether or not an event is taking place.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of multiple collection routes set in a collection area R. The triangular marks shown in FIG. 2 represent collection points. As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of collection points are generally set within a collection area R. In the collection of collected materials, each collection vehicle 2 is assigned the task of collecting materials from multiple collection points. Each collection vehicle 2 travels along a collection route connecting the multiple collection points assigned to it, and collects materials that have been collected at the multiple collection points on the collection route.

[0016] Each collection route has a starting point and an end point. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a collection site 100 is the starting point and end point of multiple collection routes. The collection site 100 is, for example, a business establishment, an incineration facility, or an interchange, and is the common starting point and end point of multiple collection routes. That is, multiple collection vehicles 2 depart from the collection site 100, travel along the collection route assigned to each vehicle, and then return to the collection site 100. The collected waste is then discharged at the collection site 100. Note that the starting point and end point of each collection route may be different facilities.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the collection region R is divided into a fixed area R1 and a variable area R2. A plurality of collection points are set in the fixed area R1 and the variable area R2. Each of a plurality of collection vehicles 2 visits a plurality of collection points along a collection route that passes through both the fixed area R1 and the variable area R2. The variable area R2 is located closer to the collection base 100 than the fixed area R1. In other words, the collection points in the variable area R2 are located in the periphery of the collection base 100. The collection points in the fixed area R1 are collection points where only the collection vehicle 2 assigned to that collection point can perform collection work, and the collection points in the variable area R2 are collection points where collection vehicles 2 other than the assigned collection vehicle 2 are also allowed to perform collection work.

[0018] Each of the plurality of collection vehicles 2 is equipped with a plurality of information terminals 3. The information terminals 3 are portable terminals such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and are operated by workers 4 who board the collection vehicles 2 and are engaged in the work of collecting the materials to be collected. The number of the plurality of information terminals 3 is determined according to the number of collection vehicles 2 that collect the materials to be collected. The collection management system 1 only needs to be equipped with at least two information terminals 3, each installed on two collection vehicles 2.

[0019] The management device 5 is a device for centrally managing collection work by multiple collection vehicles 2. The management device 5 may be a stationary or portable personal computer or workstation, or may be a portable terminal such as a laptop computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, or PDA. The management device 5 is placed, for example, in a management center 7 that manages multiple collection vehicles 2, and is operated by an administrator 6 at the management center 7. The administrator 6 may also operate the management device 5 remotely from outside the management center 7.

[0020] The information terminals 3 and the management device 5 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N. The network N is, for example, a wireless line such as a mobile communication network.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a collection management system 1 according to one embodiment. Note that the multiple collection vehicles 2 and the multiple information terminals 3 have the same configuration, and therefore FIG. 3 shows only one collection vehicle 2 and one information terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the collection vehicle 2 is equipped with a GPS receiver 11 and a weight sensor 12. The GPS receiver 11 receives signals from multiple GPS satellites to detect the location information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the collection vehicle 2. The weight sensor 12 detects the weight of the collected materials loaded on the collection vehicle 2. The GPS receiver 11 and the weight sensor 12 output the detection results to the information terminal 3 mounted on the collection vehicle. Note that, instead of the weight sensor 12, the collection vehicle 2 may be equipped with a sensor that detects the volume of the collected materials loaded on the collection vehicle 2 and a device that calculates the weight from the amount of change in vehicle height and the amount of change in air pressure in the air suspension bellows.

[0022] [Information terminal configuration] A plurality of information terminals 3 are mounted on the plurality of collection vehicles 2. The information terminal 3 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The information terminal 3, for example, loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes the program loaded into the RAM by the CPU, thereby realizing various functions described below.

[0023] The information terminal 3 includes a communication device 15, a display device 16, an input device 17, a storage unit 18, and a control unit 20. The communication device 15 is, for example, a wireless communication device, and transmits and receives various information related to the collection work of the objects to be collected with other information terminals 3 and the management device 5 via the network N. The display device 16 is, for example, a display, and presents various information related to the collection work to the worker 4. The input device 17 accepts input of various information related to the collection work from the worker 4. For example, the input device 17 is a button, a switch, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The worker 4 inputs information related to the collection work using the input device 17. For example, when the worker 4 completes collection work at an assigned collection point, the worker 4 operates the input device 17 to input to the information terminal 3 that the collection work at that collection point has been completed.

[0024] The memory unit 18 is a storage device accessible from the control unit 20, and stores various information related to the collection work of the objects to be collected. The memory unit 18 stores, for example, collection plan information 27 indicating a collection plan for the objects to be collected, and progress information 28 related to the progress of the collection work.

[0025] The control unit 20 has, as its functional configuration, a collection plan acquisition unit 21, a location information acquisition unit 22, a load amount acquisition unit 23, a progress management unit 24, and a collection plan update unit 25. The collection plan acquisition unit 21 acquires a collection plan for materials to be collected from the management device 5. The collection plan is a vehicle allocation plan that indicates the allocation of multiple collection points to multiple collection vehicles 2. More specifically, the collection plan includes multiple collection points set within the collection area R and information about the collection vehicles 2 assigned to each collection point. The collection plan acquisition unit 21 stores collection plan information 27 that indicates the acquired collection plan in the memory unit 18.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an example of collection plan information 27. As shown in FIG. 4, the collection plan information includes, for example, a collection point ID that identifies a collection point, a collection route ID that identifies a collection route, a collection vehicle ID that identifies a collection vehicle 2, location information that indicates the location of each collection point, and area information that indicates the area in which the collection point is located. The area information refers to information that indicates whether the corresponding collection point is within a fixed area R1 or a variable area R2, and is created in advance for each collection route. It can be created manually, but it can also be created using location information. In the area information column shown in FIG. 4, "R1" indicates that the corresponding collection point is located within the fixed area R1, and "R2" indicates that the corresponding collection point is located within the variable area R2.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 4, a collection vehicle 2 corresponding to a collection vehicle ID "A" travels along a collection route corresponding to a collection route ID "1" and collects the items by visiting the assigned collection points P1 to P100 in order. A collection vehicle 2 corresponding to a collection vehicle ID "B" travels along a collection route corresponding to a collection route ID "2" and collects the items by visiting the assigned collection points P101 to P200 in order. Note that the collection plan may include items different from those shown in FIG. 4. For example, the collection plan may further include information regarding the type of collection point (e.g., locked container, directly placed on the road, etc.) or precautions to take when performing collection work (e.g., designated stopping position, noise considerations, etc.).

[0028] The location information acquisition unit 22 acquires location information of the collection vehicle 2 detected by the GPS receiver 11. The location information acquisition unit 22 periodically transmits the acquired location information of the collection vehicle 2 to the management device 5 via the communication device 15. The load amount acquisition unit 23 acquires the load amount of collected materials on the collection vehicle 2 detected by the weight sensor 12. The load amount acquisition unit 23 may also acquire the loading rate of collected materials on the collection vehicle 2. The load amount acquisition unit 23 periodically transmits the acquired load amount or loading rate of collected materials on the collection vehicle 2 to the management device 5 via the communication device 15.

[0029] The progress management unit 24 acquires the progress status of the collection work of the items to be collected according to the collection plan, and transmits information regarding the progress status to the management device 5. For example, the progress management unit 24 generates progress information 28 indicating the progress status of the collection work at each collection point, and stores it in the storage unit 18. FIG. 5 shows an example of the progress information 28. As shown in FIG. 5, the progress information 28 includes a collection point ID that identifies the collection point, and collection information that indicates the progress status of the collection work at each collection point. A "0" in the collection information column shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the items to be collected at the corresponding collection point have not yet been collected, and a "1" indicates that the items to be collected at the corresponding collection point have already been collected.

[0030] For example, when the worker 4 completes the collection work at an assigned collection point, he / she registers in the information terminal 3 that the items to be collected at that collection point have been collected. The progress management unit 24 generates progress information 28 based on the information registered by the worker 4. Furthermore, when the work progress is registered by the worker 4, the progress management unit 24 transmits the registered progress information 28 to the management device 5. Note that instead of transmitting information regarding the progress of the collection work at each collection point to the management device 5, the progress management unit 24 may transmit information indicating that the collection work at all collection points within the fixed area R1 has been completed to the management device 5 as information regarding the progress of the collection work of the items to be collected.

[0031] The collection plan update unit 25 generates an updated collection plan in which the allocation of collection points has been modified when a proxy collection instruction, which will be described later, is received from the management device 5. Then, the updated collection plan is transmitted to the management device 5 and the information terminals 3 mounted on the other collection vehicles 2.

[0032] [Configuration of management device] The management device 5 includes a communication device 31, a display device 32, an input device 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 40. The communication device 31 is, for example, a wireless communication device, and transmits and receives various information related to the collection work of the items to be collected with multiple information terminals 3 via the network N. The display device 16 is, for example, a display, and presents various information related to the collection work to the manager 6. The input device 33 accepts input of various information related to the collection work from the manager 6. For example, the input device 33 is a button, switch, touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc. For example, the manager 6 operates the input device 33 to input a substitute collection instruction to the management device 5 to change the allocation of uncollected points assigned to a collection vehicle 2 whose collection work is delayed to another collection vehicle 2.

[0033] The memory unit 34 is a storage device accessible from the control unit 40, and stores various information related to the collection work of the collected materials. The memory unit 34 stores, for example, collection plan information 35 indicating a collection plan for the collected materials, location management information 36 indicating the locations of the multiple collection vehicles 2, load management information 37 indicating the load amounts of the multiple collection vehicles 2, and progress management information 38 related to the progress of the collection work of the multiple collection vehicles 2.

[0034] The control unit 40 has, as its functional configuration, a collection plan generation unit 41, a location information acquisition unit 42, a load amount acquisition unit 43, a progress management unit 44, a proxy collection instruction unit 45, and a plan update unit 46. The collection plan generation unit 41 generates a collection plan. The collection plan is planned and registered, for example, by the manager 6. The collection plan generation unit 41 generates collection plan information 35 based on the registered collection plan and stores it in the memory unit 34. In addition, the collection plan generation unit 41 transmits the generated collection plan information 35 to multiple information terminals 3 mounted on multiple collection vehicles 2.

[0035] The location information acquisition unit 42 acquires location information of a plurality of collection vehicles 2 from a plurality of information terminals 3. The location information acquisition unit 42 generates location management information 36 indicating the location information of a plurality of collection vehicles 2 at each time, and stores the location management information 36 in the memory unit 34. The administrator 6 centrally manages the location information of a plurality of collection vehicles 2 based on the location management information 36 stored in the memory unit 34.

[0036] The load amount acquisition unit 43 acquires the load amounts of the plurality of collection vehicles 2 from the plurality of information terminals 3. The load amount acquisition unit 43 generates load amount management information 37 indicating the load amounts of the plurality of collection vehicles 2 at each time, and stores the load amount management information 37 in the memory unit 34. The administrator 6 centrally manages the load amounts of the plurality of collection vehicles 2 based on the load amount management information 37 stored in the memory unit 34.

[0037] The progress management unit 44 acquires information relating to the progress of collection work by a plurality of collection vehicles 2 from a plurality of information terminals 3. For example, the progress management unit 44 integrates the progress information 28 acquired from the plurality of information terminals 3 to generate progress management information 38 indicating the progress of collection work by a plurality of collection vehicles 2. The manager 6 centrally manages the progress of collection work by a plurality of collection vehicles 2 based on the progress management information 38 stored in the memory unit 34.

[0038] The proxy collection instruction unit 45 transmits a proxy collection instruction to another collection vehicle 2 that is relatively ahead of the other collection vehicle 2 in order to assign the collection of items at a collection point assigned to a collection vehicle 2 that is relatively behind in collection work to the other collection vehicle 2 that is relatively ahead of the other collection vehicle 2 in collection work. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of proxy collection work. In FIG. 6, triangular marks represent collection points assigned to a first collection vehicle 2A among the multiple collection vehicles 2, and circular marks represent collection points assigned to a second collection vehicle 2B among the multiple collection vehicles 2. That is, the first collection vehicle 2A among the multiple collection vehicles 2 is assigned multiple collection points P1 to P9, and the second collection vehicle 2B among the multiple collection vehicles 2 is assigned multiple collection points P11 to P19. Among the collection points P1 to P9 and P11 to P19, solid marks represent collection points where collection has already been completed, and open marks represent collection points where collection has not yet been completed. Furthermore, collection points P2 to P8 and P12 to P18 are collection points within a fixed area R1. On the other hand, collection points P1, P9, P11, and P19 are collection points within variable area R2.

[0039] In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first collection vehicle 2A has completed collection work at only some of the collection points P1 to P9 within the fixed area R1 among the multiple collection points P1 to P9 assigned to it. On the other hand, the second collection vehicle 2B has completed collection work at all of the collection points P11 to P19 within the fixed area R1 among the multiple collection points P11 to P19 assigned to it. In other words, the collection work of the first collection vehicle 2A is delayed compared to the collection work of the second collection vehicle 2B. Therefore, the proxy collection instruction unit 45 of the management device 5 instructs the second collection vehicle 2B to perform proxy collection at uncollected points within the variable area R2 among the multiple collection points assigned to the first collection vehicle 2A. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the uncollected point within the variable area R2 assigned to the first collection vehicle 2A is collection point P9. Therefore, the proxy collection instruction unit 45 instructs the second collection vehicle 2B to perform proxy collection at the uncollected point P9. The proxy collection instruction is transmitted to the information terminal 3 mounted on the second collection vehicle 2B.

[0040] When the collection plan update unit 25 of the information terminal 3 mounted on the second collection vehicle 2B receives the instruction for proxy collection from the management device 5, it displays a screen on the display device 16 for selecting whether or not to perform proxy collection. Then, the worker 4 of the second collection vehicle 2B selects whether or not to perform proxy collection. If the worker 4 selects to perform proxy collection, the collection point allocation is corrected in accordance with the instruction for proxy collection, and the collection plan is updated. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the allocation of the uncollected point P9 is corrected from the first collection vehicle 2A to the second collection vehicle 2B. The updated collection plan, which is the updated collection plan, is sent to the management device 5 and the information terminals 3 mounted on other collection vehicles 2 (here, the first collection vehicle 2A). In one embodiment, the collection plan update unit 25 of the second collection vehicle 2B may send information to the information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A inquiring whether or not the allocation of the uncollected point P9 can be changed, and when a notification of permission to change the allocation is received from the information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A, the collection plan update unit 25 may change the allocation of the uncollected point P9 from the first collection vehicle 2A to the second collection vehicle 2B.

[0041] The multiple collection vehicles 2 perform collection work according to the updated collection plan. For example, the first collection vehicle 2A performs collection work at collection points P1 to P8, excluding collection point P9, which has been released from allocation. Meanwhile, the second collection vehicle 2B performs collection work at collection points P11 to P19, as well as the newly assigned collection point P9. At this time, since collection point P9 is located in variable area R2, which is close to the collection base 100, significant changes to the collection route of the second collection vehicle 2B are prevented. Therefore, an increase in the travel distance of the second collection vehicle 2B is prevented. As a result, fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced.

[0042] When the plan update unit 46 of the control unit 40 receives the updated collection plan from the information terminal 3, it rewrites the collection plan information 35 stored in the storage unit 34 with updated collection plan information indicating the updated collection plan.

[0043] [Collection management method] Next, a collection management method according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the collection management method carried out by the collection management system 1. For ease of explanation, the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 7 only describes the operations of the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B out of the multiple collection vehicles 2, but this collection management method may also be applied to collection work of collected materials carried out by three or more collection vehicles 2.

[0044] In this collection management method, first, the collection plan generation unit 41 of the management device 5 generates a collection plan for the items to be collected (step ST1). The generated collection plan is transmitted to the information terminals 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B (step ST2).

[0045] The information terminals 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B receive the collection plan transmitted from the management device 5 (step ST3) and store collection plan information 27 indicating the received collection plan in the storage unit 18. At this time, the information terminal 3 may combine the multiple collection points and collection routes assigned to the vehicle into map information and display the combined information on the display device 16. FIG. 8 shows an example of information displayed on the display device 16 of the information terminal 3. By displaying such information on the display device 16, the multiple collection points and collection routes assigned to the vehicle can be visually recognized by the worker 4. The workers 4 of the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B visit the collection points on the collection routes in order according to the displayed information and collect the materials to be collected that have been placed at the collection points (step ST4).

[0046] When the workers 4 of the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B complete collection work at the assigned collection points, they register information about the collection points where they performed collection work in the information terminal 3. When information about the collection points where collection work has been completed is registered, the progress management unit 24 of the information terminal 3 marks the collection points registered by the workers 4 as having been collected and updates the progress information 28. Then, the progress management unit 24 transmits the updated progress information 28 to the management device 5 (step ST5). At this time, the position information acquisition unit 22 and the load amount acquisition unit 23 of the information terminal 3 may transmit information about the position information and load amount of the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B to the management device 5.

[0047] The management device 5 integrates the progress information 28 received from the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B and stores the integrated information as progress management information 38 in the storage unit 34 (step ST6). At this time, the management device 5 may generate information including multiple collection points, multiple collection routes, location information of each collection vehicle 2, loading rate of each collection vehicle 2, progress status of collection work, etc. based on the collection plan information 35, location management information 36, load management information 37, and progress management information 38, and display the generated information on the display device 32 of the management device 5. FIG. 9 shows an example of information displayed on the display device 32 of the management device 5. The manager 6 refers to the information displayed on the display device 32 of the management device 5 to centrally manage collection work by multiple collection vehicles 2.

[0048] Here, it is assumed that the collection work of the second collection vehicle 2B has progressed smoothly and that the collection work has been completed at all of the collection points within the fixed area R1 out of the multiple collection points assigned to the second collection vehicle 2B in the collection plan (step ST7). In this case, the progress management unit 24 of the second collection vehicle 2B transmits fixed area completion information indicating that the collection work has been completed at all of the collection points within the fixed area R1 to the management device 5 (step ST8).

[0049] When the proxy collection instruction unit 45 of the management device 5 receives the fixed area completion information from the second collection vehicle 2B, it references the progress management information 38 and generates a list of uncollected points in the variable area R2 assigned to a collection vehicle other than the second collection vehicle 2B, in this case the first collection vehicle 2A (step ST9).The proxy collection instruction unit 45 then transmits the generated list of uncollected points to the second collection vehicle 2B (step ST10).

[0050] When the information terminal 3 of the second collection vehicle 2B receives the list of uncollected points from the management device 5, it displays a list of uncollected points included in the list of uncollected points on the display device 16. The worker 4 of the second collection vehicle 2B selects one or more uncollected points from the list of uncollected points displayed on the display device 16 (step ST11). Hereinafter, the uncollected points selected by the worker 4 will be referred to as "selected uncollected points."

[0051] When the worker 4 selects an uncollected point within the variable area R2, the collection plan update unit 25 of the second collection vehicle 2B transmits information indicating the selected uncollected point to the first collection vehicle 2A assigned to the selected uncollected point (step ST12). When the information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A receives the information indicating the selected uncollected point, it displays on the display device 16 information requesting the user to select whether or not to permit proxy collection for the selected uncollected point (step ST13). In response, if the worker 4 of the first collection vehicle 2A rejects proxy collection, the information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A transmits a denial notice to the second collection vehicle 2B indicating that proxy collection is not permitted (step ST14). On the other hand, if the worker 4 of the first collection vehicle 2A permits proxy collection, the information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A transmits an approval notice to the second collection vehicle 2B indicating that proxy collection is permitted (step ST15).

[0052] Next, the plan update unit 46 of the second collection vehicle 2B determines whether or not the proxy collection has been approved by the first collection vehicle 2A (step ST16). If a denial notice is received from the first collection vehicle 2A, the plan update unit 46 proceeds to step ST11 and reselects another uncollected point included in the list of uncollected points. On the other hand, if an approval notice is received from the first collection vehicle 2A, the plan update unit 46 of the second collection vehicle 2B transmits the approval notice to the management device 5 (step ST17).

[0053] When the management device 5 receives the approval notification from the second collection vehicle 2B, it instructs the second collection vehicle 2B to perform proxy collection of the materials to be collected at the selected uncollected point (step ST18). At this time, if there are other uncollected points where collection work should be prioritized, the management device 5 may instruct the second collection vehicle 2B to perform proxy collection at those other uncollected points. In this case, the second collection vehicle 2B may again inquire of the worker 4 of the first collection vehicle 2A about permission to perform proxy collection at the other uncollected points.

[0054] When the collection plan update unit 25 of the second collection vehicle 2B receives the instruction for proxy collection of the selected uncollected points from the management device 5, it updates the collection plan (step ST19). More specifically, it changes the allocation of the selected uncollected points that were assigned to the first collection vehicle 2A to the second collection vehicle 2B. The collection plan in which the allocation of the selected uncollected points has been changed in this way is called an "updated collection plan." The collection plan update unit 25 of the second collection vehicle 2B transmits the updated collection plan to the first collection vehicle 2A and the management device 5 (step ST20). The information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A and the management device 5 store the received updated collection plan in the memories 18, 34 (step ST21).

[0055] The second collection vehicle 2B travels along the updated collection route in accordance with the updated collection plan and collects the items placed at the collection points. At this time, the second collection vehicle 2B collects the items at the selected uncollected points for which it has been instructed to collect by proxy, in addition to the multiple collection points assigned to the second collection vehicle 2B in the original collection plan (step ST22). Then, when the second collection vehicle 2B has completed collection work at all collection points within the fixed area R1 and the variable area R2 assigned to the second collection vehicle 2B (step ST23), it transmits a work completion notice indicating that the collection work has been completed to the management device 5 (step ST24).

[0056] Similarly, the first collection vehicle 2A travels around the multiple collection points assigned to it and collects the materials to be collected in accordance with the updated collection plan. Then, when collection work is completed at all of the multiple collection points assigned to the first collection vehicle 2A within the fixed area R1 (step ST25), the progress management unit 24 of the first collection vehicle 2A transmits fixed area completion information indicating that collection work has been completed at all of the collection points within the assigned fixed area R1 to the management device 5 (step ST26).

[0057] When the management device 5 receives the fixed area completion information from the first collection vehicle 2A, it generates a list of uncollected points in the variable area R2 assigned to other collection vehicles (for example, collection vehicles other than the first collection vehicle 2A and the second collection vehicle 2B) from the progress management information 38 (step ST27).The management device 5 then transmits the generated list of uncollected points to the first collection vehicle 2A (step ST28).

[0058] When the information terminal 3 of the first collection vehicle 2A receives the list of uncollected points from the management device 5, it displays a list of uncollected points included in the list of uncollected points on the display device 16. The worker 4 of the first collection vehicle 2A selects one or more uncollected points from the list of uncollected points displayed on the display device 16 (step ST29).

[0059] When the worker 4 selects an uncollected point within the variable area R2, the collection plan update unit 25 of the first collection vehicle 2A transmits information about the selected uncollected point to the management device 5 (step ST30). At this time, the collection plan update unit 25 of the first collection vehicle 2A may also transmit the selected uncollected point to other collection vehicles 2.

[0060] When the management device 5 receives information about the selected uncollected point from the first collection vehicle 2A, it instructs the first collection vehicle 2A to perform proxy collection at the selected uncollected point (step ST31). At this time, if there are other uncollected points where collection work should be prioritized, the management device 5 may instruct the first collection vehicle 2A to perform proxy collection at the other uncollected points.

[0061] When the collection plan update unit 25 of the first collection vehicle 2A receives the instruction for proxy collection of the selected uncollected points from the management device 5, it updates the collection plan (step ST32). More specifically, it generates an updated collection plan in which the allocation of the selected uncollected points allocated to the other collection vehicles 2 is changed to the first collection vehicle 2A. The collection plan update unit 25 of the first collection vehicle 2A transmits the generated updated collection plan to the management device 5 and the other collection vehicles 2 (step ST32). The management device 5 stores the received updated collection plan in the storage unit 34 (step ST33).

[0062] Next, the first collection vehicle 2A travels to a plurality of collection points and collects the items to be collected in accordance with the updated collection plan (step ST32). Then, when the first collection vehicle 2A has completed collection of the items to be collected at all collection points within the fixed area R1 and the variable area R2 assigned to the first collection vehicle 2A (step ST33), it sends a work completion notice to the management device 5 (step ST34). When the management device 5 receives the work completion notice from the first collection vehicle 2A, the collection work of the items to be collected is completed.

[0063] As explained above, in the collection management system 1, the collection of materials at collection points assigned to the first collection vehicle 2A, which is relatively behind in collection work, is assigned to the second collection vehicle 2B, which is relatively well-performing in collection work, so the collection time for the materials within the collection area R can be shortened, and as a result, the efficiency of the collection work can be improved. At this time, the collection points eligible for proxy collection are limited to collection points within the variable area R2, so a major change in the collection route of the second collection vehicle 2B is prevented. This prevents a significant increase in the traveling distance of the second collection vehicle 2B, and as a result, the collection efficiency of the materials can be further improved.

[0064] The collection management system 1 according to various embodiments has been described above, but it is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made within the scope that does not change the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...Collection management system, 2...Collection vehicle, 2A...First collection vehicle, 2B...Second collection vehicle, 3...Information terminal, 5...Management device, 21...Collection plan acquisition unit, 25...Collection plan update unit, 45...Proxy collection instruction unit, R1...Fixed area, R2...Variable area.

Claims

1. A collection management system including a plurality of information terminals mounted on a plurality of collection vehicles that collect collection items, and a management device that manages the plurality of collection vehicles, Each of the plurality of information terminals a collection plan acquisition unit that acquires a collection plan including information on a plurality of collection points set within a collection area including a fixed area and a variable area and on collection vehicles assigned to each collection point; a progress management unit that transmits information regarding the progress of the collection work of the collection target items according to the collection plan to the management device; a collection plan update unit that updates the collection plan; Equipped with the management device includes a proxy collection instruction unit that notifies the information terminal of a second collection vehicle of the plurality of collection vehicles that has completed collection work at all of the assigned collection points in the fixed area, the second collection vehicle being assigned to a first collection vehicle among the plurality of collection vehicles, of an instruction to perform proxy collection at uncollected points in the variable area, the second collection vehicle being assigned to a first collection vehicle among the plurality of collection vehicles, The collection management system, wherein the collection plan update unit changes the allocation of the uncollected point from the first collection vehicle to the second collection vehicle when the collection plan update unit receives the instruction for the proxy collection from the management device.

2. The collection plan further includes information regarding a plurality of collection routes connecting some of the plurality of collection points; the plurality of collection routes include a common end point; The collection management system according to claim 1 , wherein the variable area is set closer to the end points of the plurality of collection routes than the fixed area.

3. 3. The collection management system according to claim 1, wherein the collection plan update unit, upon receiving the instruction for proxy collection from the management device, transmits information to the information terminal of the first collection vehicle inquiring whether or not to change the allocation of the uncollected point, and, upon receiving a notification of permission for the allocation change from the information terminal of the first collection vehicle, changes the allocation of the uncollected point from the first collection vehicle to the second collection vehicle.

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