Construction machinery, information processing systems, and programs

Abstract

To provide a construction machine capable of improving information processing capacity of the construction machine and shortening information processing time even in an environment where communication with a server is not possible.SOLUTION: An information processing unit of a construction machine executes a plurality of tasks, and a communication unit performs short-range wireless communication. The information processing unit performs inquiry processing for inquiring of at least one external information processing device that can communicate with the communication unit as to the degree of processing capacity margin, margin information reception processing for receiving margin information indicating the degree of processing capacity margin from the external information processing device, determination processing for determining whether to request execution of at least a part of a plurality of the tasks to the external information processing device based on the received margin information, task execution request processing to request execution of at least a part of the tasks to the external information processing device when it is determined that the task execution is requested, and result reception processing for receiving a result of the task execution from the external information processing device requested to execute the task.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a construction machine, an information processing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The spread of applications requiring algorithms with large processing loads and real-time performance, such as automated construction and environmental recognition at construction sites, has increased the information processing capabilities required of construction machinery. Construction machinery at construction sites requests a server to execute tasks with large processing loads via long-distance communication means (Patent Document 1). The server executes the tasks requested by the construction machinery and returns the execution results to the construction machinery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-155557 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a construction site is located in an area with poor communication infrastructure, such as a mountainous region, the construction machinery cannot communicate with the server. Furthermore, the information processing unit installed in the construction machinery alone may not have sufficient information processing capabilities, and the information processing may not be completed within the desired time. Even in an environment where communication with the server is not possible, it is desirable for the construction machinery to have sufficient information processing capabilities and complete information processing within the desired time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine that can improve its information processing capability and shorten information processing time even in an environment where communication with a server is not possible. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system including this construction machine. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a program that can be used in this information processing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing unit that performs multiple tasks; A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; A construction machine equipped with The information processing unit an inquiry process of inquiring about the extent of processing capacity margin to at least one external information processing device that can communicate with the communication unit; a margin information receiving process for receiving margin information indicating a margin of processing capacity from the external information processing device; a determination process for determining whether to request the external information processing device to execute at least some of the tasks based on the received margin information; a task execution request process for requesting the external information processing device to execute at least a part of the task when it is determined that the task execution is to be requested; a result receiving process for receiving a task execution result from the external information processing device that has requested the task execution; A construction machine for performing the above is provided.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing unit that performs multiple tasks; A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; A construction machine equipped with The information processing unit a process of transmitting margin information indicating the margin of its own processing capacity to the construction machine that made the inquiry when another construction machine within a range where the communication unit can communicate makes an inquiry about the margin of its own processing capacity; When a request for execution of a task is received from another construction machine within the communication range of the communication unit, the requested task is executed and the execution result is returned to the construction machine that made the request. A construction machine for performing the above is provided.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a construction machine having an information processing unit that executes a plurality of tasks and a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; at least one external information processing device that performs short-range wireless communication with the construction machine; An information processing system comprising: The information processing unit of the construction machine an inquiry process for inquiring of the external information processing device about the extent of its processing capacity margin; a margin information receiving process for receiving margin information indicating a margin of processing capacity from the external information processing device; a determination process for determining whether to request the external information processing device to execute at least some of the tasks based on the received margin information; a task execution request process for requesting the external information processing device to execute at least a part of the task when it is determined that the task execution is to be requested; a result receiving process for receiving a task execution result from the external information processing device that has requested the task execution; Run The external information processing device a process of transmitting margin information indicating the margin of its own processing capacity to the construction machine when the inquiry process is received from the construction machine; When a task execution request is received from the construction machine, the requested task is executed and the execution result is returned to the construction machine. An information processing system is provided that executes the above.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, A process for performing short-range wireless communication with the construction machine; a process of transmitting margin information indicating the margin of its own processing capacity to the construction machine that made the inquiry when the construction machine inquires about the margin of its processing capacity via short-range wireless communication; When a task execution request is received from construction machinery via short-range wireless communication, the requested task is executed and the execution result is returned to the requesting construction machinery. A program for causing a computer to execute the above is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The construction machine communicates with an external information processing device via short-range wireless communication, requests the external information processing device to execute some tasks, and receives the execution results from the external information processing device, thereby improving its information processing capabilities even when it is unable to communicate with a server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system including two construction machines according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the information processing unit of the construction machine according to the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by an information processing unit of another construction machine that functions as an external information processing device with respect to the construction machine shown in the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a construction machine and an information processing system according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a construction machine and an information processing system according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a construction machine according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a construction machine according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of a display unit mounted on a construction machine according to yet another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A construction machine and an information processing system according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system including two construction machines 10 and 50 according to this embodiment. One of the construction machines 10 is an excavator including an information processing unit 11, a communication unit 12, a sensor 13, and a traveling mechanism 14, and the other construction machine 50 is an excavator including an information processing unit 51, a communication unit 52, a sensor 53, and a traveling mechanism 54. The information processing unit 11 is realized by, for example, computer hardware and software.

[0013] The communication units 12, 52 each have a function to perform short-range wireless communication and a function to perform long-range wireless communication. Examples of short-range wireless communication standards used include Bluetooth (registered trademark), which has a communication distance of approximately 10 meters or less, and WiFi, which has a communication distance of several hundred meters or less. Examples of long-range wireless communication standards used include LTE and the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G). The sensors 13, 53 are capable of measuring the three-dimensional shapes of the terrain, surrounding obstacles, etc. Examples of sensors that can be used as the sensors 13, 53 include cameras and LiDAR. The information processing units 11, 51 perform information processing required for the construction machines 10, 50 to perform various tasks, respectively.

[0014] This information processing is realized by executing multiple tasks. For example, the information processing unit 11 of one of the construction machines 10 analyzes images acquired by the sensor 13 and creates an environmental map. The construction machine 10 is equipped with multiple sensors 13, and an environmental map of the area around the construction machine 10 is created by analyzing images acquired by each of the multiple sensors 13 and piecing together the analysis results. A cohesive series of information processing realized by executing multiple tasks is called a job. One job includes multiple tasks that can be processed in parallel. For example, one task analyzes a portion of the overall image data to create part of the environmental map.

[0015] Furthermore, the information processing unit 11 of one of the construction machines 10 has a function of executing at least some of the tasks included in the job to be executed by the construction machine 50 in response to a request from the other construction machine 50, if there is a processing capacity surplus, and returning the execution results to the construction machine 50 that issued the request. In this case, the construction machine 10 acts as an external information processing device for the construction machine 50. Also, when there is an inquiry from the other construction machine 50 about the degree of processing capacity surplus, the construction machine 10 returns surplus information indicating the degree of processing capacity surplus of its own information processing unit 11 to the construction machine 50 that issued the inquiry. Processing capacity can also be said to be the amount of computational resources. The degree of processing capacity surplus can also be said to be the amount of available computational resources at the current time.

[0016] Similarly, the information processing units 51 of the other construction machines 50 perform processes (jobs) to create an environmental map, processes to reply to inquiries about the margin of processing capacity, and processes to execute requested tasks and reply with the execution results to the requesting construction machine 10. In this case, the construction machine 50 plays the role of an external information processing device with respect to the construction machine 10. The processing capacity (amount of resources) can be defined, for example, by the size of image data that can be processed per unit time.

[0017] Next, as an example, a case will be described in which the information processing unit 11 needs to execute four tasks 30A to 30D when the construction machine 10 performs a certain task. Executing the four tasks 30A to 30D by the information processing unit 11 alone would take time, causing delays in the work. The construction machine 50 is executing one task 70A and has ample processing capacity. Furthermore, the distance between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50 is such that short-range wireless communication between them is possible.

[0018] The information processing unit 11 of the construction machine 10 inquires of the other construction machine 50 about the extent of the spare processing capacity. If the construction machine 50 has spare processing capacity, it requests the construction machine 50 to execute one task 30D out of the multiple tasks 30A to 30D. The request to execute a task is made by sending the program that is to execute the task and the image data that is to be processed by the program from the construction machine 10 to the other construction machine 50. Alternatively, an application program for executing the task may be installed in the information processing unit 51 of the construction machine 50, and only the command and image data may be sent to the construction machine 50.

[0019] The information processing unit 11 executes the remaining three tasks 30A to 30C. It receives the execution result of task 30D from the construction machine 50 and integrates the execution results of the four tasks 30A to 30D to create information necessary for the work, such as an environmental map.

[0020] 2 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the information processing unit 11 of the construction machine 10 (FIG. 1) that requests the execution of a task from an external information processing device. When multiple tasks that the construction machine 10 must process occur, the information processing unit 11 determines whether long-distance communication with the server is possible (step SA1). If the work site of the construction machine 10 is in a mountainous region or the like and is outside the service area for long-distance communication, communication with the server is not possible. If communication with the server is not possible, the information processing unit 11 uses its short-distance wireless communication function to execute an inquiry process to inquire about the extent of spare processing capacity of the external information processing device, i.e., the construction machine 50 (FIG. 1) (step SA2).

[0021] After executing the slack information receiving process to receive slack information indicating the degree of slack in processing capacity from the construction machine 50, the system executes a process to determine whether there is an external information processing device with slack in processing capacity (step SA3). If an external information processing device with slack in processing capacity is found, the system requests the external information processing device, i.e., the construction machine 50, to execute some of the tasks required for the work of the construction machine 10 (performs task execution request processing), and executes the remaining tasks (step SA4).

[0022] Thereafter, the execution results of the task are acquired (result reception process is executed) from the external information processing device, i.e., the construction machine 50 (step SA5). Then, the execution results of the task executed by the external information processing device are integrated with the execution results of the task executed by the construction machine itself (step SA6). As a result, information necessary for the work, such as an environmental map, is created.

[0023] If no external information processing device with sufficient processing power is found in step SA3, the information processing unit 11 executes all tasks (step SA7), thereby creating information necessary for the work, such as an environmental map.

[0024] If it is determined in step SA1 that communication with the server is possible, the information processing unit 11 requests the server to execute all tasks (step SA8). Then, the information processing unit 11 obtains the execution results of the tasks from the server (step SA9). This allows the information necessary for the work, such as an environmental map, to be obtained.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the information processing unit 51 of the construction machine 50 (FIG. 1) that functions as an external information processing device for the construction machine 10.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing unit 51 of the construction machine 50 analyzes the received request (step SB1). If the received request is an inquiry about the margin of processing capacity, the information processing unit 51 calculates the margin of processing capacity based on the current task execution status (step SB2). Thereafter, the information processing unit 51 returns margin information indicating the margin of processing capacity to the construction machine 10 that originated the inquiry (step SB3).

[0027] If the received request is a task execution request, the task is executed (step SB4). When the task execution is completed, the execution result is returned to the construction machine 10 (step SB5).

[0028] Next, the excellent effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, some of the multiple tasks that should be executed by one construction machine 10 are executed by the other construction machine 50. In this way, the two construction machines 10, 50 form a distributed processing network using short-range wireless communication. As a result, if the construction machines 10, 50 are unable to communicate with the server, some of the multiple tasks that should be executed by one construction machine 10 are executed by the other construction machine 50 that has spare processing capacity. Because multiple tasks with large processing volumes are processed in a distributed manner by the two construction machines 10, 50, it is possible to compensate for the lack of computational resources of one construction machine 10 and shorten the processing time.

[0029] The construction machine 10 can execute some of the multiple tasks that it must process using an external information processing device. This allows a computer with low processing power to be used for the information processing unit 11. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the construction machine 10 equipped with the information processing unit 11.

[0030] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when communication with the server is not possible, a distributed processing network constructed using short-range wireless communication is used, but a configuration in which no connection to the server is made is also possible. For example, in order to connect a construction machine to a server, a long-distance wireless communication line such as a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G) must be used, which increases communication costs. By making use of a configuration in which the construction machine is not connected to a server, communication costs can be reduced.

[0031] In this embodiment, multiple construction machines that make up a distributed processing network analyze image data acquired by a sensor mounted on one construction machine. As a variation of this, multiple construction machines may analyze image data acquired by multiple sensors mounted on multiple construction machines, and the created environmental maps may be integrated to create an environmental map of a wider area.

[0032] When the construction machine 50 is not performing work, it is preferable to set it to a state in which it is capable of performing information processing and communication, and to maintain it in a state in which it is capable of providing computational resources to other construction machines 10 at any time in response to a request (hereinafter referred to as computational resource providing mode). It is preferable that the operator of the construction machine 50 or a worker at the work site can operate the construction machine 50 to set the construction machine 50 to the computational resource providing mode. This makes it possible to utilize the construction machine 50 even when it is not performing work and is dormant.

[0033] If the construction machine 50 is an electric shovel, in the computational resource provision mode, it is preferable that power is supplied from an internal battery to the information processing unit 51 and the communication unit 52. If the construction machine 50 is an internal combustion engine shovel, it is preferable that the minimum necessary standby power is supplied to the information processing unit 51 and the communication unit 52, and that when a task execution request or the like is received from another construction machine 10, the internal combustion engine is operated to generate power.

[0034] In this embodiment, the construction machines 10, 50 are shovels, but the construction machines 10, 50 may be other construction machines than shovels, such as bulldozers, trucks, and cranes.

[0035] Next, a construction machine and an information processing system according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Below, a description of the configuration common to the construction machine and the information processing system according to the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 will be omitted.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a construction machine and an information processing system according to this embodiment. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, a distributed processing network is constructed by two construction machines 10, 50. In contrast, in this embodiment, a distributed processing network is constructed by one construction machine 10 and at least one other external information processing device 60. The information processing device 60 is equipped with a display unit 65. A laptop computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. may be used as the external information processing device 60.

[0037] The external information processing device 60 performs short-range wireless communication with the construction machine 10. Furthermore, the external information processing device 60 replies to an inquiry about the margin of processing capacity shown in FIG. 3 (step SB3), executes the requested task (step SB4), and replies with the task execution results (step SB5). For example, the external information processing device 60 executes a part of task 30D out of the multiple tasks 30A to 30D that should be executed by the construction machine 10. By installing an application program in advance on a notebook computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, etc., the notebook computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, etc. can be operated as the external information processing device 60.

[0038] Next, the excellent effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, even if no other construction machines are deployed at the work site of the construction machine 10, a distributed processing network can be constructed using an information processing terminal such as a notebook computer.

[0039] Next, a construction machine and an information processing system according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Below, a description of the configuration common to the construction machine and the information processing system according to the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 will be omitted.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a construction machine and an information processing system according to this embodiment. In the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, a distributed processing network is constructed by two construction machines 10, 50. In contrast, in this embodiment, a distributed processing network is constructed by at least one construction machine and a plurality of external information processing devices. The distributed processing network can utilize a serverless communication system, for example, a public network (e.g., CAN) or a mechanism for bucket relay of information (e.g., blockchain).

[0041] For example, a distributed processing network is constructed by connecting three construction machines 10, 50, 55, two smartphones 61, 62, and one personal computer 63 via a local area network such as WiFi. The construction machines 10, 50, 55, the smartphones 61, 62, and the personal computer 63 connected to this local area network are called members of the distributed processing network.

[0042] Each of the multiple members of the distributed processing network has a function to inquire about the degree of margin in its processing capacity from other members (step SA2 in FIG. 2) and a function to request the execution of at least some of the multiple tasks (step SA4 in FIG. 2). Each of the multiple members also has a function to calculate the degree of margin in its own processing capacity when inquired about the degree of margin in its processing capacity from other members (step SB2 in FIG. 3) and return the margin information (step SB3 in FIG. 3), and a function to execute the requested task when requested to execute it (step SB4 in FIG. 3) and return the execution result (step SB5 in FIG. 3).

[0043] Next, an example of the procedure when one construction machine 10 requests the execution of a task from multiple other members of the distributed processing network will be described. In the following description, reference will be made to Figures 2 and 3 as necessary. Below, a case will be described in which five tasks 30A to 30E need to be executed when the construction machine 10 performs work.

[0044] First, the construction machine 10 inquires of the other members about the extent of their processing capacity margin (step S2). The members who received the inquiry, i.e., the construction machines 50, 55, the smartphones 61, 62, and the personal computer 63, calculate the extent of their own processing capacity margin (step SB2) and return the calculated margin information to the construction machine 10 (step SB3).

[0045] The construction machine 10 determines whether any member has spare processing capacity based on the spare capacity information returned from the other multiple members (step SA3). For example, if the construction machine 55, smartphone 61, and personal computer 63 have spare processing capacity, the construction machine 10 requests each of these members to execute some of the tasks (step SA4). For example, of the tasks 30A to 30E that the construction machine 10 is to execute, the construction machine 10 requests the construction machine 55, personal computer 63, and smartphone 61 to execute tasks 30C, 30D, and 30E, respectively. Furthermore, the construction machine 10 executes the remaining tasks 30A and 30B (step SA4).

[0046] The construction machine 55, the personal computer 63, and the smartphone 61 execute tasks 30C, 30D, and 30E, respectively (step SB4), and return the execution results to the construction machine 10 (step SB5). The construction machine 10 acquires the execution results of the tasks from the construction machine 55, the personal computer 63, and the smartphone 61 (step SA5). Thereafter, the construction machine 10 integrates the execution results of tasks 30A to 30E (step SA6).

[0047] Next, the excellent effects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be described. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a member included in the distributed processing network can use the computational resources of multiple other members. This allows for shortening the execution time of various jobs with large computational loads. It is also possible to reduce the information processing capacity of each of the multiple members. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of each of the construction machines 10, 50, and 55 that are members of the network.

[0048] Next, a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The distributed processing network according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is a serverless network, but one of the multiple members may also function as a server. For example, a member functioning as a server may grasp the extent of the spare processing capacity of the multiple members, and each member may request allocation of computing resources of the distributed processing network to the member functioning as a server. The member functioning as a server may allocate computing resources of the distributed processing network to each member in response to each member's request.

[0049] It is preferable to assign a priority to each of the multiple members, and the member functioning as a server may preferentially allocate computing resources to members with higher priorities. It is also possible to assign a priority to jobs to be executed, and preferentially allocate computing resources to jobs with higher priorities.

[0050] Next, a construction machine and an information processing system according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Below, a description of the configuration common to the construction machine and the information processing system according to the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 will be omitted.

[0051] 6 is a schematic diagram of construction machines 10, 50 according to this embodiment. When another construction machine 50 is located within a communication area 40 of the communication unit 12 of the construction machine 10, the construction machines 10 and 50 can perform short-range wireless communication. When the construction machine 50 moves as indicated by arrow A1 and goes outside the communication area 40, short-range wireless communication between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50 becomes impossible.

[0052] When the information processing unit 51 of the construction machine 50 detects that communication with the construction machine 10 has been lost, it issues a command to the traveling mechanism 54 to move in a direction closer to the construction machine 10, as shown by arrow A2. When it detects that the strength of the radio waves from the construction machine 10 has fallen below the lower limit of communication, it may be determined that the construction machine 50 has lost communication with the construction machine 10. When the construction machine 50 returns to the inside of the communication area 40, it becomes possible to resume short-range wireless communication between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50.

[0053] Next, a method for determining the direction in which the construction machine 50 approaches the construction machine 10 will be described. For example, when the construction machine 50 moves out of the communication area 40, the information processing unit 51 rotates the upper rotating body and the sensor 53 acquires an image of the surrounding area. The acquired image is analyzed to detect the construction machine 10. This makes it possible to determine the direction in which the construction machine 50 approaches the construction machine 10.

[0054] Next, the excellent effects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described. In this embodiment, even if the construction machine 50 goes outside the communication area 40, the construction machine 50 autonomously returns to the inside of the communication area 40, so it is possible to maintain a state in which short-range wireless communication is possible between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50. This allows the construction machine 10 to use the construction machine 50 as an external information processing device.

[0055] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. In this modified example, the direction in which the construction machine 50 approaches the construction machine 10 is determined by acquiring an image of the surroundings using the sensor 53 of the construction machine 50. As another method, GPS position information may be used. For example, when the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50 are able to communicate, they exchange position information with each other. When communication with the construction machine 10 becomes impossible, the construction machine 50 determines the direction in which to approach the construction machine 10 based on the position information of the construction machine 10 that was received while communicating with the construction machine 10. Furthermore, the position information of the location where the construction machine 10 will be working may be stored in advance in another construction machine 50 based on a work plan.

[0056] Alternatively, the construction machine 50 may calculate the distance between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50 based on the position information of the two machines, and move so that this distance does not exceed the communication distance. This makes it possible to maintain a state in which short-range wireless communication between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50 is possible.

[0057] Next, a construction machine and an information processing system according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Below, a description of the configuration common to the construction machine and the information processing system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 will be omitted.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of construction machines 10, 50 according to this embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when the construction machine 50 moves outside the communication area 40 of the construction machine 10, the construction machine 50 returns inside the communication area 40. In contrast to this, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, when the information processing unit 11 of the construction machine 10 detects that communication with the construction machine 50 has become impossible, it issues a command to the traveling mechanism 14 to move in a direction approaching the construction machine 50. As a result, the construction machine 10 moves as shown by arrow A3, and the communication area 40 moves into the communication area 40A as shown by arrow A4. As a result, the construction machine 50 again enters the communication area 40A of the construction machine 10.

[0059] Next, the excellent effects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described. In this embodiment, by moving the construction machine 10, it is possible to maintain a state in which short-range wireless communication is possible between the construction machine 10 and the construction machine 50. The method of this embodiment should be adopted when the movement of the construction machine 10 does not impede work. Conversely, when moving the construction machine 10 would impede work, the method of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 should be adopted.

[0060] Next, a construction machine and an information processing system according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Below, a description of the configuration common to the construction machine and the information processing system according to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 5 will be omitted.

[0061] Figure 8 is a front view of the display unit 15 mounted on the construction machine 10 according to this embodiment. When the construction machine 10 receives slack information indicating the degree of processing capacity slack from multiple members of the distributed processing network, the degree of processing capacity slack for each member is displayed on the display unit 15 in a manner that can be recognized by workers and the like. For example, the degree of processing capacity slack is displayed as a horizontal bar graph for each member on the display unit 15. The degree of processing capacity slack may also be displayed on an external information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or laptop computer that is connected to the distributed processing network.

[0062] The length of the horizontal bar represents the processing capacity (computational resources) of each of the multiple members of the distributed processing network. The range (hatched range in Figure 8) corresponding to the proportion of processing capacity occupied by currently running processes (computational resources in use) is displayed so that it can be distinguished from the remaining range (white range in Figure 8). The length of the remaining range corresponds to the degree of spare processing capacity (unused computational resources). The degree of spare processing capacity is displayed as a numerical value. This numerical value corresponds to, for example, the size of image data that can be processed per unit time, the number of images, etc.

[0063] Next, the advantageous effects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described. On-site workers can determine whether the total processing capacity of the construction machinery, smartphones, laptop computers, tablet terminals, etc. operating at the work site is sufficient or insufficient from the information indicating the degree of processing capacity margin displayed on the display unit 15. If the overall processing capacity is insufficient, a measure can be taken to operate information processing devices such as construction machinery, smartphones, tablet terminals, and laptop computers that are not currently operating. If all information processing devices located at the work site are operating, a measure can be taken to increase the number of tablet terminals and laptop computers.

[0064] If the combined processing power of the construction machinery, smartphones, laptops, tablet devices, etc. operating at a work site is sufficient, power consumption can be reduced by turning off some of the construction machinery, laptops, etc.

[0065] When one of the multiple members in a distributed processing network has the function of a server that manages the entire distributed processing network, the number of members assigned to execute multiple tasks included in one job (the number of parallel distributed processes) can be adjusted depending on the amount of spare processing capacity available in the entire network. Also, more computing resources can be allocated to jobs with higher priority.

[0066] Next, a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described. In this embodiment, the degree of processing capacity margin is displayed on the display unit 15 so that the ratio of the processing capacity margin to the total processing capacity (the ratio of unused computing resources) can be recognized, but other indicators may also be displayed. For example, when a job occurs, the calculation time until the job is completed may be displayed on the display unit 15 so that the user can recognize the calculation time until the job is completed.

[0067] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. Similar effects resulting from similar configurations of multiple embodiments will not be mentioned sequentially for each embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications, improvements, combinations, etc. are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10. Construction machinery 11 Information Processing Department 12 Communications Department 13 Sensors 14 Running mechanism 15 Display section 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E Tasks 40, 40A communication area 50 Construction machinery 51 Information Processing Department 52 Communications Department 53 Sensors 54 Running mechanism 55 Construction machinery 60 External information processing device 61, 62 Smartphone 63 PC 65 Display section 70A Task

Claims

1. an information processing unit that performs multiple tasks; A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; A construction machine equipped with The information processing unit an inquiry process of inquiring about the extent of processing capacity margin to at least one external information processing device that can communicate with the communication unit; a margin information receiving process for receiving margin information indicating a margin of processing capacity from the external information processing device; a determination process for determining whether to request the external information processing device to execute at least some of the tasks based on the received margin information; a task execution request process for requesting the external information processing device to execute at least a part of the task when it is determined that the task execution is to be requested; a result receiving process for receiving a task execution result from the external information processing device that has requested the task execution; Construction machinery to perform the work.

2. The information processing unit In the inquiry process, the plurality of external information processing devices are inquired about the extent of their processing capacity margins, In the determination process, it is determined whether or not to request execution of at least some of the tasks for each of the plurality of external information processing devices; 2. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein in the task execution request process, execution of at least some of the tasks is requested from an external information processing device that has a processing capacity that is sufficient among the plurality of external information processing devices.

3. 3. The construction machine according to claim 2, wherein, in the task execution request processing, when the information processing unit requests the execution of a task from a plurality of the external information processing devices, the information processing unit selects the task to be requested in accordance with the slack information of each of the plurality of the external information processing devices.

4. It further includes a display unit, 4. A construction machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the information processing unit displays on the display unit the degree of margin in its own processing capacity and the degree of margin in the processing capacity of each of the plurality of external information processing devices that have inquired about the degree of margin in their processing capacity.

5. A running mechanism is further provided, The information processing unit 5. A construction machine according to claim 1, wherein when the external information processing device detects that it has moved out of a communication area for short-range wireless communication, the construction machine issues a command to the traveling mechanism to move in a direction approaching the external information processing device.

6. A construction machine described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the surplus information includes information indicating the amount of available computing resources at the current time.

7. an information processing unit that performs multiple tasks; A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; A construction machine equipped with The information processing unit a process of transmitting margin information indicating the margin of its own processing capacity to the construction machine that made the inquiry when another construction machine within a range where the communication unit can communicate makes an inquiry about the margin of its own processing capacity; When a request for execution of a task is received from another construction machine within the communication range of the communication unit, the requested task is executed and the execution result is returned to the construction machine that made the request. Construction machinery to perform the work.

8. A running mechanism is further provided, The information processing unit 8. The construction machine according to claim 7, wherein, when it is detected that the other construction machine has moved out of a communication area for short-range wireless communication, a command is issued to the traveling mechanism to move in a direction approaching the other construction machine.

9. a construction machine having an information processing unit that executes a plurality of tasks and a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication; at least one external information processing device that performs short-range wireless communication with the construction machine; An information processing system comprising: The information processing unit of the construction machine an inquiry process for inquiring of the external information processing device about the extent of its processing capacity margin; a margin information receiving process for receiving margin information indicating a margin of processing capacity from the external information processing device; a determination process for determining whether to request the external information processing device to execute at least some of the tasks based on the received margin information; a task execution request process for requesting the external information processing device to execute at least a part of the task when it is determined that the task execution is to be requested; a result receiving process for receiving a task execution result from the external information processing device that has requested the task execution; Run The external information processing device a process of transmitting margin information indicating the margin of its own processing capacity to the construction machine when the inquiry process is received from the construction machine; When a task execution request is received from the construction machine, the requested task is executed and the execution result is returned to the construction machine. An information processing system that executes the above.

10. A process for performing short-range wireless communication with the construction machine; a process of transmitting margin information indicating the margin of its own processing capacity to the construction machine that made the inquiry when the construction machine inquires about the margin of its processing capacity via short-range wireless communication; When a task execution request is received from construction machinery via short-range wireless communication, the requested task is executed and the execution result is returned to the requesting construction machinery. A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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