Work support methods, work support systems, and programs

Abstract

To improve an efficiency of transportation of a work device.SOLUTION: A work support method includes determining an estimated end time until a work device ends a work at a first field based on first operation information indicating a position of the work device working at the first field and a time point and field information indicating the first field where the work device works. The work support method further includes outputting movement instruction information indicating that a target transportation device transporting the work device should move to the first field based on the estimated end time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work support method, a work support system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as the informatization of agriculture progresses, technologies have been developed to support work in the field in order to improve the efficiency of work when working devices perform work in the field.

[0003] In relation to this, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for remotely controlling the operation of a truck that transports crops harvested by a work device for harvesting crops.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a work device works in a plurality of fields, when the work in one field is completed, the work device needs to move to the next field. However, the work device may not be able to move alone or may be inefficient in terms of time or cost. Therefore, in some cases, it may be transported using a transport device capable of transporting the work device. However, for example, if the operation of the transport device is inappropriate, such as when the waiting time from when the work device finishes working in a certain field until the start of transportation by the transport device becomes long, there is a risk that the work efficiency will decrease. However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, although it is possible to improve the efficiency of transporting the harvested products harvested by the work device, it is not possible to improve the efficiency of transporting the work device.

[0006] In view of the above situation, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to improve the efficiency of transporting a work device. Other objectives can be grasped from the following embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means for solving the problem are described below using the numbers and symbols used in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference to show an example of the correspondence between the claims and the embodiments for carrying out the invention. Therefore, the claims should not be interpreted restrictively because of the parenthetical statements.

[0008] The work support method according to the embodiment includes: determining an estimated completion time until the work device (30) finishes working in the first field (A1) based on first operation information (D1) indicating the position and time of the work device (30) working in the first field (A1), and field information (D2) indicating the first field (A1) where the work device (30) is working; and outputting movement instruction information indicating that the transport device (40A) that transports the work device (30) should move to the first field (A1) based on the estimated completion time.

[0009] Another embodiment of the work support method includes: acquiring notification information that the work device (30) is about to finish work in the first field (A1); outputting movement instruction information indicating that the transport device (40A) that transports the work device (30) should move to the first field (A1) based on the notification information; determining a second field (A2) from the multiple fields (A) based on the estimated transport time required to transport the work device (30) from the first field (A1) to each of the multiple fields (A) where the work device (30) should perform work, and the amount of work that the work device (30) should perform in the multiple fields (A); and outputting transport instruction information indicating that the transport device (40A) should transport the work device (30) to the determined second field (A2).

[0010] The work support system according to the embodiment includes a time determination unit (120) that determines an estimated completion time until the work device (30) finishes working in the first field (A1) based on first operation information (D1) indicating the position and time of the work device (30) working in the first field (A1) and field information (D2) indicating the first field (A1) where the work device (30) is working, and a movement output unit (140) that outputs movement instruction information indicating that the transport device that transports the work device (30) should move to the first field (A1) based on the estimated completion time.

[0011] The program according to the embodiment causes the computer to perform the following actions: determine an estimated completion time until the work device (30) finishes working in the first field (A1), based on first operation information (D1) indicating the position and time of the work device (30) working in the first field (A1), and field information (D2) indicating the first field (A1) where the work device (30) is working; and output movement instruction information indicating that the transport device that transports the work device (30) should move to the first field (A1) based on the estimated completion time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the above embodiment, the efficiency of transporting the work equipment is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a work support system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the configuration of a work support device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows the configuration of a terminal device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a work apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing a work support device, a terminal device, and the functional configuration of a work device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of field information according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of second operation information according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of plan information according to an embodiment. [Figure 9A] It is a flowchart showing the processing of a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9B] It is a flowchart showing the processing of a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 12A] It is a flowchart showing the processing of a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 12B] It is a flowchart showing the processing of a work support system according to an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] (First Embodiment) The work support system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the work support system 1 includes a work support device 10, a terminal device 20, and a work device 30. The work support device 10 is communicably connected to the terminal device 20 and the work device 30 via a network NT. Examples of the network NT include the Internet and an intranet. In the example of FIG. 1, work to be performed in a plurality of fields A is scheduled for the work device 30. Therefore, when the work in the currently working field A1 is completed, the work device 30 is transported by the transport device 40 and moves to the next field A2 to be worked on. Note that the transport device 40 is a vehicle capable of transporting the work device 30, such as a truck or a tractor that pulls a transport vehicle for transporting the work device 30.

[0015] The work support system 1 of this embodiment displays an instruction to move the transport device 40 to the field A1 on the terminal device 20 of the driver of the transport device 40 so that the work device 30 being worked on in the field A1 can start being transported without delay when the work device 30 finishes working in the field A1 or immediately after it finishes working. For example, based on the information indicating the position of the work device 30 (e.g., the first operation information D1 in FIG. 5) and the information indicating the area of the field A1 (e.g., the field information D2 in FIG. 5), the work support system 1 determines the estimated end time when it is estimated that the work device 30 will finish working in the field A1. Then, based on this estimated end time, the work support system 1 displays a screen on the terminal device 20 indicating that the transport device 40 should be moved to the field A1. A user who sees this display (e.g., the driver of the transport device 40) can know that the transport device 40 should be moved to the field A1 at an appropriate time before the work device 30 finishes working in the field A1. For example, if the user moves the transport device 40 to the field A1 based on this display, the waiting time when transporting the terminal device 20 is reduced, and the efficiency of the transport is improved. Thus, the work support system 1 can support the work of transporting the work device 30 by the transport device 40.

[0016] Hereinafter, when not distinguishing each field from one another, it is called the field A, and when distinguishing, it is indicated by attaching a number like the field A1. Also, among one or more transport devices 40, the one determined to transport the work device 30 to be processed by the work support system 1 is particularly called the target transport device 40A.

[0017] The configuration of the work support system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the work support device 10 included in the work support system 1 includes an input / output device 12, an arithmetic device 14, a communication device 16, and a storage device 18. The work support device 10 is, for example, a server device including a computer or a cloud.

[0018] The input / output device 12 receives information for the arithmetic unit 14 to perform the processing described later. The input / output device 12 also outputs the results of the processing performed by the arithmetic unit 14. The input / output device 12 includes various input and output devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, display, speaker, and touch panel. The input / output device 12 may be omitted.

[0019] The communication device 16 is connected to the network NT in a communicative manner and communicates with external devices (e.g., work devices 30 and terminal devices 20) of the work support device 10 via the network NT. The communication device 16 transfers information acquired from the multiple work devices 30 and terminal devices 20 to the arithmetic unit 14. It also transfers information generated by the arithmetic unit 14 to either the work devices 30 or the terminal devices 20, or both. The communication device 16 includes various interfaces such as NIC (Network Interface Card) and USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0020] The storage device 18 stores a program P1 and the like, which includes various data and instructions for the work support system 1 of this embodiment to execute at least a part of the processing described later. The storage device 18 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing this data and instructions. The program P1 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M1. Alternatively, the storage medium M1 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P1. In this case, the data including the program P1 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0021] The computing unit 14 reads from the storage device 18 and executes a program P1 containing instructions and data to output information that the work device 30 should move the target transport device 40A to field A1 where it is currently working. For example, the computing unit 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU).

[0022] The arithmetic unit 14 reads and executes program P1 to realize the functional units of the work support device 10 described later (for example, the information acquisition unit 110, time determination unit 120, target transport determination unit 130, movement output unit 140, transport destination acquisition unit 150, transport output unit 160, and information storage unit 170, etc., as shown in Figure 5).

[0023] In this embodiment, the terminal device 20 may be a portable computer device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The terminal device 20 may be carried by a user of the work support system 1, such as the driver of the transport device 40.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 20 includes an input / output device 22, an arithmetic unit 24, a communication device 26, and a storage device 28. Alternatively, the terminal device 20 may be an in-vehicle computer device capable of controlling the display on the panel of the transport device 40, such as a car navigation system, or a stationary computer device used by an operator to give instructions to the driver of the transport device 40.

[0025] The input / output device 22 receives information for the arithmetic unit 24 to perform the processing described later. The input / output device 22 also outputs the results of the processing performed by the arithmetic unit 24. The input / output device 22 includes various input and output devices, such as a display, speaker, and touch panel.

[0026] The communication device 26 is connected to the network NT in a communicative manner and communicates with external devices (e.g., the work support device 10 and the work device 30) of the terminal device 20 via the network NT. The communication device 26 transfers information acquired from the external devices to the arithmetic unit 24. It also transfers information generated by the arithmetic unit 24 to the external devices. The communication device 26 includes a communication interface that enables communication with external devices via wireless communication systems such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or cellular communication. If the terminal device 20 is a stationary computer device, the communication device 26 includes various interfaces such as NIC and USB.

[0027] The storage device 28 stores a program P2, which includes various data and instructions for the work support system 1 of this embodiment to execute at least a part of the processing described later. The storage device 28 is used as a non-temporary storage medium for storing this data and instructions. The program P2 may be provided together with the program P1, or separately, as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M2. Alternatively, the storage medium M2 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P2. In this case, the data including the program P2 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0028] The arithmetic unit 24 reads from the storage device 28 and executes a program P2 containing commands and data for displaying a screen indicating that the target transport device 40A should be moved to the target field A1, based on the information output by the work support device 10 (for example, the movement instruction information described later). For example, the arithmetic unit 24 includes a central processing unit (CPU).

[0029] The arithmetic unit 24 reads and executes program P2, thereby realizing the functional units of the terminal device 20 described later (for example, the display unit 210 shown in Figure 5).

[0030] In this embodiment, the work device 30 is an agricultural machine that performs work in field A. Examples of the work device 30 include various work machines such as harvesters, tillers and fertilizer spreaders, and seedling transplanters such as rice transplanters, etc., which are vehicles that perform agricultural work in field A. As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the engine and parts that perform agricultural work, the work device 30 is equipped with an on-board computer system consisting of an input / output device 32, an arithmetic unit 34, a communication device 36, a storage device 38, and a positioning device 39.

[0031] The input / output device 32 receives information for the arithmetic unit 34 to perform the processing described later. The input / output device 32 also outputs the results of the processing performed by the arithmetic unit 34. The input / output device 32 includes various input and output devices, such as a display, speaker, and touch panel. The input / output device 32 may be omitted.

[0032] The positioning device 39 includes a sensor device that repeatedly acquires its own position and current time (e.g., date, hour, minute, second, etc.) using a positioning system such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). In this embodiment, the positioning device 39 measures the position and time of the work device 30 at a predetermined interval (e.g., every 5 seconds).

[0033] The communication device 36 is connected to the network NT in a communicative manner and communicates with external devices of the work device 30 (e.g., the work support device 10 and the terminal device 20) via the network NT. The communication device 36 transfers information acquired from external devices to the arithmetic unit 34. It also transfers information generated by the arithmetic unit 34 to external devices. The communication device 36 includes a communication interface that enables communication with external devices via wireless communication systems such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or cellular communication.

[0034] The storage device 38 stores program P3 and the like, which include various data and instructions for the work support system 1 of this embodiment to perform at least a part of the processing described later. The storage device 38 is used as a non-temporary storage medium for storing this data and instructions. Program P3 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M3, together with programs P1 and P2, or separately. Alternatively, the storage medium M3 may be a storage device of an external server that stores program P3. In this case, the data including program P3 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0035] The arithmetic unit 34 reads from the storage device 38 a program P3 containing instructions and data for outputting information indicating the current position and time of the work device 30 measured by the positioning device 39 (for example, the first operation information D1 in Figure 5) to the work support device 10, and executes it. For example, the arithmetic unit 34 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0036] The arithmetic unit 34 reads and executes program P3 to realize the functional units of the work device 30 described later (for example, the positioning unit 310 and output unit 320 shown in Figure 5).

[0037] The exemplary transport device 40 includes a trailer capable of carrying the work device 30, and a tractor capable of towing a trolley capable of carrying the work device 30. The transport device 40 includes a positioning device that repeatedly acquires its own position and current time (e.g., date, hour, minute, second, etc.) using a positioning system such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). In this embodiment, the positioning device of the transport device 40 positions the position and time of the transport device 40 at a predetermined interval (e.g., every 5 seconds). The transport device 40 generates operational information that stores one or more positioning pieces of information indicating the position and time determined by the positioning device, associated with information indicating the transport device 40 (e.g., positioning device ID). The transport device 40 outputs the generated operational information to the work support device 10.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the work support device 10, terminal device 20, and work device 30 of the work support system 1 realize the functional units shown in Figure 5. For example, the arithmetic unit 14 of the work support device 10 realizes the functions of the information acquisition unit 110, time determination unit 120, target transport determination unit 130, movement output unit 140, transport destination acquisition unit 150, transport output unit 160, and information storage unit 170 by executing program P1. The arithmetic unit 24 of the terminal device 20 realizes the function of the display unit 210 by executing program P2. Furthermore, the arithmetic unit 34 of the work device 30 realizes the functions of the positioning unit 310 and output unit 320 by executing program P3.

[0039] The positioning unit 310 of the work device 30 repeatedly measures the current position and time of the work device 30 using the positioning device 39. The positioning unit 310 measures the position and time of the work device 30, for example, at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 5 seconds). The positioning unit 310 transmits positioning information indicating the measured position and time to the output unit 320.

[0040] The output unit 320 outputs to the work support device 10 operational information (e.g., first operational information D1) which includes one or more positioning pieces of information indicating the position and time of the work device 30, and information indicating the work device 30 (e.g., work device ID), based on positioning information from the positioning unit 310. The operational information output by the output unit 320 further includes the working width when the work device 30 is working in field A. This working width is stored in the storage device 38 as setting information at the time of factory shipment, for example. Alternatively, the working width is stored in the storage device 38 in advance based on user input using the input / output device 32.

[0041] The information storage unit 170 of the work support device 10 stores information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 and the transport destination acquisition unit 150, and information generated by the time determination unit 120 and the target transport determination unit 130. The information storage unit 170 also provides the stored information to the time determination unit 120, the target transport determination unit 130, the movement output unit 140, and the transport output unit 160 via the information acquisition unit 110. For example, the information storage unit 170 stores first operation information D1, field information D2, second operation information D3, and planning information D4.

[0042] The first operational information D1 stores, for example, operational information of a work device 30 that is processed by the work support system 1, associated with information that identifies the work device 30 (for example, "work device ID"). Here, the operational information of the work device 30 includes positioning information of the work device 30 and information indicating the working width of the work device 30. If there are multiple positioning records for the work device 30 when it worked in field A1, the first operational information D1 stores these multiple positioning records associated with the work device ID of the work device 30.

[0043] Field information D2 stores, as shown in Figure 6 as an example, information identifying each field A ("Field ID"), information indicating the location of that field A ("Area Definition Information"), and information indicating the area of ​​field A ("Area") in association with each other. The Field ID is the identifier for each field A. The Area Definition Information indicates the geographical location and extent of field A. The Area indicates the numerical value of the area of ​​each field (for example, in square meters).

[0044] As shown in Figure 7 as an example, the second operational information D3 stores positioning information for multiple transport devices 40, associating each transport device 40 with information that identifies the transport device 40 (e.g., "transport device ID") and information that identifies the terminal device 20 corresponding to the transport device 40 (e.g., the terminal device 20 owned by the operator of that terminal device 20) (e.g., "terminal device ID"). For example, the second operational information D3 stores the most recent positioning information from among the multiple positioning pieces of information repeatedly measured by the transport device 40. If there are multiple transport devices 40 capable of transporting the work device 30, the second operational information D3 stores the operational information for each of the multiple transport devices 40, associating each with a transport device ID.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8 as an example, the planning information D4 stores information that identifies the task that the work device 30 should perform ("Task ID"), information that identifies the field A where the task will be performed (for example, "Field ID"), and information that indicates the amount of work to be performed in that field A (for example, "Work Amount"). In this embodiment, the Work Amount indicates the estimated time required for the task that the work device 30 will perform in each field A. For example, this estimated time required is the average value of the work time of the work device 30 in that field A up to the previous year.

[0046] The information acquisition unit 110 in Figure 5 acquires information including first operation information D1, field information D2, second operation information D3, and planning information D4 from the storage device 18, input / output device 12, work device 30, transport device 40, etc. The information acquisition unit 110 transmits the acquired information to each functional part, such as the time determination unit 120, the target transport determination unit 130, and the information storage unit 170.

[0047] The time determination unit 120 determines the estimated completion time that the work device 30 to be processed will need to complete its work in field A1, where it is currently working, based on the first operation information D1 and the planning information D4. The time determination unit 120 transmits the information indicating the determined estimated completion time to the movement output unit 140.

[0048] The target transport determination unit 130 determines which of the one or more transport devices 40 capable of transporting the terminal device 20 should actually transport the work device 30, based on the location of one or more transport devices 40 indicated by the second operation information D3 and the location of field A1 indicated by the field information D2. The target transport determination unit 130 transmits information indicating the determined target transport device 40A to the movement output unit 140.

[0049] Based on the estimated end time determined by the time determination unit 120, the movement output unit 140 outputs movement instruction information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the target transport device 40A determined by the target transport determination unit 130, indicating that it should move to field A1.

[0050] Based on the planning information D4, the destination acquisition unit 150 acquires the destination field A2 to which the work device 30 should be transported from among multiple field A's. The destination acquisition unit 150 transmits the acquired information indicating the destination field A2 to the transport output unit 160.

[0051] The transport output unit 160 outputs transport instruction information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the target transport device 40A determined by the target transport determination unit 130, indicating that the terminal device 20 should be transported to field A2 determined by the transport destination acquisition unit 150.

[0052] The display unit 210 of the terminal device 20 uses the input / output device 22 to display a screen indicating that the target transport device 40A should be moved to field A1, based on the movement instruction information output by the movement output unit 140. The display unit 210 further displays a screen indicating that the work device 30 should be transported to field A2, based on the transport instruction information output by the transport output unit 160.

[0053] (Operation of work support system 1) The work support system 1, with the functional configuration described above, performs the processes shown in Figures 9A and 9B, which are examples of work support methods, to help improve the efficiency of transporting the terminal device 20. For example, when the information acquisition unit 110 of the work support device 10 of the work support system 1 acquires the first operation information D1 of the work device 30 from an external source (for example, the work device 30), it starts the process shown in Figure 9A.

[0054] First, in step S1002, the information acquisition unit 110 determines which field A1 the work device 30 is currently working in. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 first compares the latest position of the work device 30 indicated by the latest positioning information in the first operation information D1 with the geographical range of multiple fields A indicated by the field information D2. Then, it determines the field A that includes the latest position of the work device 30 as field A1 the work device 30 is currently working in. Note that the field information D2 is acquired in advance from an external device (for example, an external server) and stored in the information storage unit 170. Alternatively, the field information D2 is generated based on user input and stored in the information storage unit 170 in advance.

[0055] Next, in step S1004, the time determination unit 120 determines the estimated completion time, which is estimated to be required until the work at field A1, determined in step S1002, is completed, based on the first operation information D1, which indicates the position and time of the work device 30, and the field information D2. Based on the field information D2 and the first operation information D1, the time determination unit 120 determines the progress of the work of the work device 30 at field A1 up to the present. For example, the time determination unit 120 determines the time of the positioning information that is first included in field A1 among the positioning information of the work device 30 to be processed, which is included in the first operation information D1, as the positioning information at the start of the work. Then, the time determination unit 120 determines the time from the positioning information at the start of the work to the latest positioning information as the work time of the work device 30 at field A1 up to the present. The time determination unit 120 then determines the work completion area, which is the area of ​​the field A1 that has been worked on, based on the positioning information from the work start time to the latest positioning information. For example, the time determination unit 120 determines the work completion area to date as the area obtained by multiplying the length of the trajectory of the work device 30 from the positioning information of the work start time to the latest positioning information by the working width of the work device 30. Then, based on the total area of ​​field A1 indicated by field information D2, the work completion area mentioned above, and the work time mentioned above, the estimated end time is determined. For example, the time determination unit 120 may determine the estimated end time using the following equation 1. (Equation 1) [Estimated completion time] = ([Total area of ​​field A1] - [Area where work has been completed]) * ([Work time to date] / [Area where work has been completed])

[0056] In this embodiment, the time determination unit 120 further determines the estimated time (estimated end time) at which the terminal device 20 is estimated to have finished its work in field A1, based on the estimated end time. For example, the time determination unit 120 determines the estimated end time as the time obtained by adding the estimated end time to the time of the latest positioning information at which the terminal device 20 performed work in field A1.

[0057] Furthermore, if there has been a period of time since the work device 30 started working in field A1 when it was not working in field A1, that positioning information may be excluded from the above calculation process.

[0058] Next, in step S1006, the time determination unit 120 determines whether the estimated completion time determined satisfies a predetermined first condition. For example, if the estimated completion time is shorter than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1 hour), the time determination unit 120 determines that the first condition is satisfied (step S1006: YES) and proceeds to step S1010. On the other hand, if the estimated completion time is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1 hour), the time determination unit 120 determines that the condition is not satisfied (step S1006: NO) and terminates the process. The numerical values ​​of the threshold for the first condition are determined by settings at the factory, but may also be determined based on user input.

[0059] Next, in step S1010, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires the second operation information D3. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 reads the second operation information D3 that has been previously stored in the information storage unit 170 to acquire the second operation information D3. In this case, before starting the processing shown in Figure 9A, the arithmetic unit 14 of the work support device 10 acquires the operation information each time one or more transport devices 40 output their respective operation information and stores it in the information storage unit 170. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the second operation information D3 from an external server that manages the transport devices 40 (for example, a server of the manufacturer of the transport devices 40). Furthermore, instead of this, when executing step S1010, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire operation information from one or more transport devices 40 that can transport the work device 30 to be processed (for example, transport devices 40 owned by the user of the work device 30) and generate the second operation information D3.

[0060] Next, in step S1012, the target transport determination unit 130 determines the estimated travel time required for the transport device 40 to move from its current position to field A1 based on the second operational information D3. For example, for each of the one or more transport devices 40 in the second operational information D3, it performs a route search using the position indicated by the positioning information in the second operational information D3, field A1, and map information. Based on the route search, it calculates the time required for the transport device 40 to move to field A1. The target transport determination unit 130 then determines the calculated time required as the estimated travel time for the transport device 40 to move from its current position to field A1. Alternatively, the target transport determination unit 130 may use a route search service provided by an external server to obtain the estimated travel time for the transport device 40 to move to field A1 based on the position indicated by the positioning information in the second operational information D3 and field A1.

[0061] Moving to Figure 9B, the next step in step S1014, the target transport determination unit 130 selects a target transport device 40A from among one or more transport devices 40 to transport the work device 30, based on the estimated travel time determined in step S1012. For example, the target transport determination unit 130 selects the transport device 40 with the shortest estimated travel time determined in step S1012 as the target transport device 40A.

[0062] Next, in step S1016, the movement output unit 140 outputs movement instruction information to the terminal device 20 indicating that the target transport device 40A should move to the target field A1. For example, the movement instruction information includes information indicating the target transport device 40A (e.g., transport device ID) and information indicating the target field A1 where work is currently being performed (e.g., field ID). In this embodiment, the movement instruction information further includes the estimated completion time determined in step S1004. In this embodiment, the movement output unit 140 outputs the movement instruction information to the target terminal device 20 corresponding to the target transport device 40A indicated by the second operation information D3. If the terminal device 20 is a vehicle-mounted terminal of the target transport device 40A, the movement output unit 140 outputs the movement instruction information to the target transport device 40A. Alternatively, if the transport device 40 is managed by an external server, the movement output unit 140 may output the movement instruction information to the external server.

[0063] Thus, based on the time determination unit 120's determination in step S1006 that the estimated completion time satisfies the first condition, the movement output unit 140 outputs movement instruction information to the terminal device 20 indicating that the target transport device 40A should move to the target field A1.

[0064] Next, in step S1018, the display unit 210 of the terminal device 20 displays a screen based on the movement instruction information output in step S1016. For example, the display unit 210 displays content as shown in Figure 10. In the example in Figure 10, the transport device ID ("Target Transport Device") indicating the target transport device 40A to be moved to field A1, the field ID ("Currently Working Field") indicating field A1 to be moved to, and the instruction to move to field A1 ("Proceed to field A1 by aa:bb and prepare to transport the work device") are displayed in association with each other.

[0065] In the example shown in Figure 10, the estimated completion time included in the movement instruction information is displayed as the deadline by which the target conveyor 40A should arrive at field A1, in accordance with the instruction to move to field A1. Therefore, by looking at the display on the terminal device 20, the user can understand by when the target conveyor 40A must be moved to field A1.

[0066] Next, in step S1020 of Figure 9B, the destination acquisition unit 150 acquires the destination field A2 for the work device 30 based on the planning information D4. For example, the destination acquisition unit 150 first determines the estimated transport time that the target transport device 40A is estimated to need to transport the terminal device 20 from the field A1 where it is working to each of the field A locations in the planning information D4. The destination acquisition unit 150 then performs a route search based on the location of field A1 indicated by the field information D2, the locations of other field A locations, and map information. Based on the route search, it then determines the estimated transport time that the target transport device 40A needs to transport the work device 30 from field A1 to each of the field A locations. The destination acquisition unit 150 may also use a route search service provided by an external server to acquire the estimated transport time based on the location of field A1 indicated by the field information D2 and the locations of one or more field A locations included in the planning information D4.

[0067] The destination acquisition unit 150 then determines the estimated transport start time, which is the estimated time when the transport device 40 is estimated to start transporting the work device 30. In this embodiment, the destination acquisition unit 150 determines the estimated transport start time as the later of the estimated arrival time, which is the time obtained by adding the estimated travel time to the time when the movement output unit 140 outputs the movement instruction information, and the estimated end time, which is the time obtained by adding the time of the latest positioning information obtained by the terminal device 20 when it worked in field A1 to the estimated end time determined in step S1004. Then, based on the estimated transport start time, the estimated transport time, and the information on the amount of work at each field A indicated in the planning information D4 ("Amount of work" in Figure 8), the destination acquisition unit 150 determines the estimated end time, which is the estimated time when the work at each field A included in the planning information D4 is estimated to be completed. For example, if the "Amount of work" in the planning information D4 indicates the statistical work time at the field A, the destination acquisition unit 150 determines this statistical work time as the estimated work time required for the work at field A2. Furthermore, if the "work volume" in the planning information D4 indicates the area of ​​field A and the working time per unit area, the transport destination acquisition unit 150 determines the estimated working time as the result of dividing the area of ​​field A by the working time per unit area.

[0068] The destination acquisition unit 150 then determines an estimated end time by adding the estimated transport time and estimated work time to the estimated transport start time. The destination acquisition unit 150 then determines that among the fields A whose estimated end time is earlier than a predetermined time (work stop time), the field A with the longest estimated work time is designated as field A2. In this embodiment, the work stop time is, for example, the time at which the predetermined work device 30 must stop or complete its work. The work stop time may be the end time of work for the operator of the work device 30 (e.g., 18:00 on the day, or 24:00 on the day), as determined by user input. Alternatively, the work stop time may be the expiration date of the work device 30, as determined by settings, or the deadline for completing the agricultural work due to seasonal factors. Through this process, the work support system 1 can instruct the system to transport the work device 30 to the field A where work can be completed for the longest period of time, among the fields A where work can be completed by the work stop time, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting the work device 30.

[0069] Alternatively, the destination acquisition unit 150 may determine the destination field A2 as the field A2 that is closest in distance from the currently working field A1 among the fields A whose estimated end time is earlier than the work stop time.

[0070] If there is no field A whose estimated end time is earlier than the work stop time, the destination acquisition unit 150 will determine the field A with the earliest estimated end time as the destination field A2. Alternatively, the destination acquisition unit 150 may determine the storage location of the work device 30 (for example, the garage of the work device 30 as defined in the settings) as the destination.

[0071] Next, in step S1022, the transport output unit 160 outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device 30 to be processed should be transported to field A2. For example, the transport output unit 160 outputs transport instruction information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the target transport device 40A, including information specifying field A2 as the destination, which was determined in step S1020.

[0072] Next, in step S1024, the display unit 210 of the terminal device 20 displays a screen based on the transport instruction information output in step S1022. For example, the display unit 210 displays content as shown in Figure 11. In the example in Figure 11, the transport device ID ("Target Transport Device") indicating the target transport device 40A to which the work device 30 should be transported to field A2, the field ID ("Destination Field") indicating the destination field A2, and the instruction to transport the target work device 30 to field A2 ("Please transport the target work device to field A2") are displayed in association with each other.

[0073] In this way, the work support system 1 determines the target transport device 40A to actually transport the work device 30 from one or more transport devices 40 capable of transporting the work device 30, and outputs movement instruction information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the target transport device 40A, based on the estimated completion time that is estimated to be required for the work device 30 to complete its work in field A1. Therefore, the work support system 1 can help the appropriate target transport device 40A to move and transport the work device 30 at the appropriate time. Thus, the work support system 1 can improve the efficiency of transporting the work device 30.

[0074] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the work support system 1 outputs movement instruction information from the movement output unit 140 in response to the determination in step S1006 that the estimated completion time satisfies a predetermined first condition. The work support system 1 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it outputs movement instruction information in response to the determination that the estimated completion time satisfies a second condition different from the first condition. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment.

[0075] The work support system 1 of this embodiment includes a work support device 10, a terminal device 20, and a work device 30, similar to the work support system 1 described with reference to Figure 1 in the first embodiment. The configuration of the work support device 10 to the work device 30 and the first operation information D1 to the planning information D4 is the same as in the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 2 to 8, so a description will be omitted.

[0076] (Operation of work support system 1) The work support system 1 of this embodiment, with the functional configuration described above, performs the processes shown in Figures 12A and 12B, which are examples of work support methods, to support the improvement of the efficiency of transporting the terminal device 20. For example, when the information acquisition unit 110 of the work support device 10 of the work support system 1 acquires the first operation information D1 of the work device 30 from an external source (for example, the work device 30), it starts the process shown in Figure 12A.

[0077] First, in step S1102, the information acquisition unit 110 determines the field A1 in which the work device 30 to be processed is currently working, similar to step S1002 in Figure 9A.

[0078] Next, in step S1104, the time determination unit 120 determines the estimated end time, similar to step S1004 in Figure 9A.

[0079] Next, in step S1106, the information acquisition unit 110 performs the same process as in step S1010 in Figure 9A to acquire the second operation information D3.

[0080] Furthermore, in step S1108, the destination acquisition unit 150 performs the same processing as in step S1012 in Figure 9A to determine the estimated travel time required for one or more transport devices 40 to move from their current positions to field A1, based on the second operational information D3.

[0081] Next, in step S1110, the time determination unit 120 compares the estimated travel time determined in step S1108 with the estimated end time determined in step S1104 using a second condition. For example, the time determination unit 120 decides to compare the shortest of the estimated travel times determined in step S1108 with the estimated end time determined in step S1104.

[0082] Next, in step S1112, the time determination unit 120 determines whether the results of the comparison in step S1110 satisfy the second condition. For example, if the value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the shortest estimated travel time of the target transport device 40A is longer than the estimated completion time determined in step S1104, the time determination unit 120 determines that the second condition is not satisfied (step S1112: NO). In this case, the work support system 1 terminates the processing shown in Figures 12A and 12B.

[0083] On the other hand, the time determination unit 120 determines that the second condition is met if the sum of the shortest estimated travel time of the transport device 40 and a predetermined value is less than or equal to the estimated completion time determined in step S1104 (step S1112: YES). In this case, the work support system 1 proceeds to step S1114.

[0084] The predetermined value added to the minimum estimated travel time here is, for example, a value determined by the factory settings or user input. This predetermined value corresponds, for example, to the upper limit of the acceptable time from when the target conveying device 40A arrives at field A1 until the work of the work device 30 is completed. For example, the predetermined value can take values ​​from 0 to 30 minutes. This predetermined value may also include errors in the estimated travel time and a safety margin. Alternatively, if a predetermined waiting time is allowed from when the work device 30 finishes work at field A1 until the conveying device 40 arrives at field A1, a negative value (for example, from 0 minutes to -30 minutes) may be used as the predetermined value.

[0085] The processing in steps S1116 to S1124 is the same as steps S1016 to S1024 in Figure 9B, so the explanation is omitted.

[0086] In this embodiment, the work support system 1 outputs movement instruction information from the movement output unit 140 based on a comparison between the estimated movement time for the conveying device 40 to move to field A1 and the estimated completion time for the work in field A1 to be completed. Therefore, the work support system 1 can output movement instruction information at an appropriate time corresponding to the current position of the conveying device 40. For example, the work support system 1 can reduce the occurrence of waiting time caused by the conveying device 40 arriving at field A1 excessively early than the completion of the work of the work device 30.

[0087] In the second embodiment described above, in step S1112, the time determination unit 120 compared the shortest (minimum) of the estimated travel times determined in step S1108 with the estimated end time. Alternatively, the time determination unit 120 may compare the median or average of multiple estimated travel times with the estimated end time. Furthermore, instead of comparing the magnitudes of the average, median, and minimum of the estimated travel times, the ratio of the magnitude of the average, median, and minimum of the estimated travel times to the magnitude of the estimated end time may be compared with a predetermined threshold. For example, the time determination unit 120 may determine that the comparison result satisfies the second condition if the minimum of the estimated travel time is greater than 1.2 times the estimated end time.

[0088] (modified version) The configuration described in the embodiment is just one example, and the configuration can be changed as long as it does not impair the functionality.

[0089] For example, in the above embodiment, the arithmetic unit 34 of the work device 30 may implement some or all of the functions performed by the work support device 10. If the arithmetic unit 34 of the work device 30 implements all of the functions of the work support device 10 (information acquisition unit 110 to information storage unit 170), the work support system 1 does not need to include the work support device 10.

[0090] Furthermore, the first operation information D1, field information D2, second operation information D3, and planning information D4 stored in the information storage unit 170 may each be different data from those in the embodiments described above. For example, the first operation information D1 may include operation information for multiple work devices 30. In this case, the work support device 10 performs the processing shown in Figures 9A and 9B for each of the multiple work devices 30. At this time, when the target transport determination unit 130 of the work support device 10 determines the target transport device 40A in step S1014 of the processing for a certain work device 30, it sets a flag indicating that it is being transported in motion in the second operation information D3, and excludes it from selection in step S1014 of the processing for another work device 30. The target transport determination unit 130 may then remove the flag indicating that it is being transported in motion when it obtains information that transport has ended from the terminal device 20. In this case, when the user, for example, the operator of the transport device 40, finishes transporting the work device 30, they input information indicating the end of transport to the input / output device 22 of the terminal device 20. The display unit 210 of the terminal device 20 outputs information indicating the completion of transport to the work support device 10.

[0091] Furthermore, the planning information D4 is not limited to storing only unworked field A, but may also include all field A that the work device 30 to be processed should work on, including worked field A. In this case, when the movement output unit 140 of the work support device 10 outputs transport instruction information in step S1022 of Figure 9B, it sets a "worked" flag for field A1 that the transport device 40 has moved to for transport of the work device 30. Then, the transport destination acquisition unit 150 may exclude field A with the "worked" flag from the candidates for determining the transport destination field A2 in step S1020 in the processing of Figures 9A and 9B that is executed next.

[0092] Furthermore, if the plan information D4 lists multiple fields A that the work device 30 is to work on in order of work completion, regardless of whether they have been worked on or not, the transport destination acquisition unit 150 may, in step S1020, determine the field A stored after the field A1 currently being worked on in the plan information D4 as the transport destination field A2.

[0093] The processing performed by the work support system 1 may differ in order or content from that shown in Figures 9A and 9B. For example, if there is only one transport device 40 capable of transporting the work device 30 to be processed, the work support system 1 may omit step S1014 and determine that transportable transport device 40 as the target transport device 40A. Alternatively, information specifying the target transport device 40A to which the work device 30 should be transported may be obtained from user input received by an external server or the input / output device 12 of the work support system 10 (or the input / output device 32 of the work device 30). In this case, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire information indicating the target transport device 40A as known information. Note that the modified versions of the processing performed in the steps of Figures 9A and 9B are also applicable to the corresponding steps in Figures 12A and 12B.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the information acquisition unit 110 of the work support system 1 determined the field A1 in which the work device 30 is currently working in step S1002 of Figure 9A. However, the information acquisition unit 110 may also acquire information specifying field A1 from the work device 30, an external server, or user input received by the input / output device 12.

[0095] Furthermore, the destination acquisition unit 150 of the work support system 1 determined the field A2 to which the work device 30 should be transported in the process of step S1020 in Figure 9B. However, the destination acquisition unit 150 may also acquire information specifying the next field A2 to be worked on from user input received by an external server or input / output device 12.

[0096] Furthermore, in step S1020 of Figure 9B, the destination acquisition unit 150 of the work support system 1 determined one field A2 to which the work device 30 should be transported. However, the destination acquisition unit 150 is not limited to this and may determine multiple destination fields A2. For example, if in step S1020 there are multiple fields A whose estimated completion time is earlier than a predetermined time (work stop time), the destination acquisition unit 150 may determine all of these fields A as destination fields A2. In this case, the transport output unit 160 outputs transport instruction information that includes multiple destination fields A2. The display unit 210 may then display a message such as "Please transport to one of these fields" on a screen showing multiple destination fields A2, indicating that the device should be transported to one of the multiple fields A2.

[0097] Furthermore, the movement output unit 140 of the work support device 10 outputs movement instruction information based on the estimated completion time of the work, determined by the time determination unit 120 based on the first operation information D1 and field information D2. However, the information acquisition unit 110 of the work support device 10 may acquire advance notice information from an external device (e.g., work device 30) indicating that the work will be completed soon. In this case, the processing in step S1006 of Figure 9A may be omitted, and the movement output unit 140 may output movement instruction information based on the advance notice information. For example, the output unit 320 of the work device 30 outputs advance notice information to the work support device 10 in response to the input / output device 32 receiving a user operation indicating that the work in field A1 will be completed. Then, in response to the information acquisition unit 110 receiving the advance notice information, the movement output unit 140 outputs movement instruction information to the terminal device 20.

[0098] Next, the destination acquisition unit 150 determines the estimated working time at each field A based on the planning information D4. Alternatively, instead of the destination acquisition unit 150 determining the estimated working time, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the estimated working time as known information. Then, the destination acquisition unit 150 determines the estimated completion time when work at multiple field A will be completed based on the estimated transport time and the estimated working time. Then, based on this estimated completion time, the destination acquisition unit 150 determines the destination field A2 from among the multiple field A. For example, the destination acquisition unit 150 may determine the field A with the longest estimated working time among the field A whose estimated completion time is earlier than the predetermined end time as field A2.

[0099] Furthermore, in step S1014 of Figure 9A, the target transport determination unit 130 determined the transport device 40 with the shortest travel time, which was determined in step S1012, as the target transport device 40A. However, the target transport determination unit 130 may determine the target transport device 40A by other methods. For example, the target transport determination unit 130 may determine the transport device 40 that is closest to field A1 in terms of straight-line distance as the target transport device 40A. Alternatively, the target transport determination unit 130 may determine the target transport device 40A based on user input received using the input / output device 12 or the like.

[0100] Furthermore, in step S1016 of Figure 9B, the movement output unit 140 outputs movement instruction information including the estimated end time, the transporter ID of the target transporter 40A, and the field ID of field A1, based on the determination in step S1006 that the estimated end time satisfies predetermined conditions. However, the movement output unit 140 may also output movement instruction information that does not include the estimated end time, but simply indicates that the target transporter 40A corresponding to the "transporter ID" in the movement instruction information should be moved to field A1. In this case, the display unit 210 simply displays an instruction that the target transporter 40A should be moved to field A1. Even in this case, the work support system 1 can instruct the transporter 40 to move at an appropriate timing.

[0101] Furthermore, in step S1020 of Figure 9B, the destination acquisition unit 150 determined the destination field A2 for the work device 30 based on the planning information D4, thereby acquiring destination information indicating the destination field A2. However, the destination acquisition unit 150 may also acquire destination information indicating the destination field A2 from an external source. For example, destination information may be acquired based on user input using the input / output device 22 of the terminal device 20 or the input / output device 32 of the work device 30. Alternatively, the destination acquisition unit 150 may acquire destination information indicating the destination field A2 from an external server operated by the manufacturer of the work device 30.

[0102] For example, in the above embodiment, after outputting and displaying the movement instruction information, the work support system 1 executed steps S1020 to S1024 to output and display transport instruction information indicating that the work device 30 should be transported to the destination field A2. However, the processing performed by the work support system 1 is not limited to this. For example, the work support system 1 may execute steps S1022 to S1024 before displaying or outputting the movement instruction information in steps S1016 to S1018, and display the movement instruction information and transport instruction information simultaneously. Alternatively, by omitting the processing from step S1020 onward and outputting the movement instruction information at an appropriate time in step S1018, it may be possible to improve the efficiency of transporting the work device 30.

[0103] Furthermore, the screen displayed by the display unit 210 is not limited to those shown in Figures 10 and 11. For example, the display unit 210 may display a user interface (e.g., a clickable icon) that accepts user input indicating that the work device 30 is ready for transport, below the display in Figure 10 indicating that the target transport device 40A should be moved to field A1. The user moves the target transport device 40A to field A1, and as soon as the work device 30 is ready for transport, uses this user interface to make user input indicating that the transport preparation is complete. The input / output device 22 of the terminal device 20 responds to this user input and outputs information to the work support device 10 indicating that the transport preparation is complete. The work support device 10 then responds to the information indicating that the transport preparation is complete and starts processing in step S1020 or step S1022 in Figure 9B. Through such processing, the work support device 10 can output transport instruction information at an appropriate timing when the transport preparation of the work device 30 to be processed is complete.

[0104] Furthermore, the display unit 210 may also display the deadline time for transporting the work device 30 to the destination field A2, as shown in Figure 11. For example, the transport output unit 160 may determine the time obtained by subtracting the estimated work time for field A2 determined in step S1020 of Figure 9B from the end of work as the deadline time for transporting the work device 30 to the destination field A2, and output transport instruction information including information indicating the said deadline time to the terminal device 20.

[0105] Furthermore, the movement output unit 140 and the transport output unit 160 may simultaneously output movement instruction information and transport instruction information to the terminal device 20. In this case, the output unit 220 may simultaneously display that the target transport device 40A should be moved to field A1 and that the terminal device 20 should be transported to field A2 using the target transport device 40A.

[0106] The embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples, and the configurations described in each embodiment and modification may be arbitrarily changed and / or combined as long as they do not impair the function. Furthermore, some of the functions described in the embodiments and modifications may be omitted if the necessary functions can be achieved.

[0107] (Note) The work support methods, work support systems, and programs described in each embodiment can be described as follows.

[0108] The work support method relating to the first aspect is: Based on first operational information indicating the position and time of the work device working in the first field, and field information indicating the first field in which the work device is working, the estimated completion time until the work device finishes working in the first field is determined. Based on the estimated completion time, the transport device that transports the work device outputs movement instruction information indicating that it should move to the first field. Includes.

[0109] The work support method relating to the second embodiment is the work support method relating to the first embodiment, To obtain destination information indicating the second field to which the aforementioned work device should be transported, The transport device outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device should be transported to the second field indicated by the acquired transport destination information, It also includes.

[0110] The work support method relating to the third aspect is the work support method relating to the second aspect, Acquiring the destination information includes determining the second field from the plurality of fields based on planning information indicating the work plan of the work device in a plurality of fields, the estimated completion time, and the field information indicating the plurality of fields.

[0111] The work support method relating to the fourth aspect is the work support method relating to the third aspect, The aforementioned planning information includes information regarding the amount of work to be done in the aforementioned multiple fields. Determining the second field mentioned above is Based on the field information, the estimated transport time for transporting the work device from the first field to each of the plurality of fields is determined, Based on the amount of work in the multiple fields indicated by the planning information, the estimated working time for the work device to work in the multiple fields is determined. Based on the determined estimated transport time and the determined estimated work time, the second field is selected from the plurality of fields. It also includes.

[0112] The work support method relating to the fifth aspect is a work support method relating to any one of the first to fourth aspects. To acquire second operational information indicating the positions of multiple conveying devices, To obtain field information indicating the aforementioned first field, Based on the acquired second operational information and the acquired field information, the transport device that transports the work device is determined from among the plurality of transport devices. It also includes.

[0113] The work support method relating to the sixth aspect is the work support method relating to the fifth aspect, Determining the transport device to which the aforementioned work device should be transported is Based on the field information and the second operational information, the estimated travel time for each of the plurality of conveying devices to move to the first field is estimated. Based on the estimated travel time, select the conveying device from the plurality of conveying devices to move to the first field, Includes.

[0114] The work support method relating to the seventh aspect is: Based on the estimated transport time for transporting the work device from the first field where the work device is working to each of the multiple fields to which the work device is to work, and the amount of work that the work device should perform in the multiple fields, the second field to which the work device should be transported from the multiple fields is determined. The transporter that transports the aforementioned work device outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device should be transported to the second field where the transporter has been determined. Includes.

[0115] The work support system relating to the eighth aspect is: A time determination unit determines an estimated completion time until the work device finishes working in the first field, based on first operation information indicating the position and time of the work device working in the first field, and field information indicating the first field in which the work device is working. A movement output unit outputs movement instruction information indicating that the conveying device that transports the work device should move to the first field based on the estimated completion time, It is equipped with.

[0116] The program relating to the ninth aspect is: On the computer, Based on first operational information indicating the position and time of the work device working in the first field, and field information indicating the first field in which the work device is working, the estimated completion time until the work device finishes working in the first field is determined. Based on the estimated completion time, the transport device that transports the work device outputs movement instruction information indicating that it should move to the first field. Make it run. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1. Work support system 10 Work support devices 12 Input / Output Devices 14 Arithmetic unit 16. Communication equipment 18 Storage device 110 Information Acquisition Department 120-hour decision unit 130 Target transport determination unit 140 Mobile Output Unit 150 Transport destination acquisition unit 160 Transport output section 170 Information storage section 20 Terminal devices 22 Input / Output Devices 24 Arithmetic unit 26 Communication equipment 28 Storage device 210 Display section 30 Working equipment 32 Input / Output Devices 34 Arithmetic unit 36 Communication equipment 38 Storage device 39 Positioning device 310 Positioning unit 320 Output section 40 Conveying device 40A Target conveying equipment Fields A, A1, and A2 Microsoft Network M1, M2, M3 storage medium D1 First Operation Information D2 Field Information D3 2nd Operation Information D4 Planning Information P1-P3 Program

Claims

1. A work support method performed in a work support system built on a computer, Based on first operational information indicating the position and time of the work device working in the first field, and field information indicating the position and area of ​​a plurality of fields including the first field and the second field where the work device is working, the estimated completion time until the work device finishes working in the first field is determined. Based on the estimated completion time, the conveying device that transports the work device outputs movement instruction information indicating that it should move to the first field. To obtain destination information indicating the second field to which the work device is to be transported, The transport device outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device should be transported to the second field indicated by the acquired transport destination information, Includes, The acquisition of the destination information includes determining the second field from the plurality of fields based on planning information indicating the work plan of the work device in the plurality of fields, the estimated completion time, and the field information. Work support method.

2. The aforementioned planning information includes information regarding the amount of work to be done in the aforementioned multiple fields. Determining the second field mentioned above is Based on the field information, the estimated transport time for transporting the work device from the first field to each of the multiple fields is determined. Based on the amount of work in the multiple fields indicated by the planning information, the estimated working time for the work device to work in the multiple fields is determined. Based on the determined estimated transport time and the determined estimated work time, the second field is selected from the plurality of fields. This also includes, The work support method according to claim 1.

3. To acquire second operational information indicating the positions of multiple conveying devices, The work device acquires field information indicating a further number of fields to be worked on, Based on the acquired second operational information and the acquired field information, the transport device that transports the work device is determined from among the plurality of transport devices. This also includes, The work support method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Determining the transport device to which the aforementioned work device should be transported is Based on the field information and the second operational information, the estimated travel time for each of the multiple conveying devices to move to the first field is estimated. Based on the estimated travel time, select the conveying device from the plurality of conveying devices that should be moved to the first field, including, The work support method according to claim 3.

5. A work support method performed in a work support system built on a computer, Based on the estimated transport time for transporting the work device from the first field where the work device is working to each of the multiple fields to which the work device is to work, and the amount of work that the work device should perform in the multiple fields, the second field to which the work device should be transported from the multiple fields is determined. The transporter that transports the aforementioned work device outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device should be transported to the second field where the transporter has been determined. including, Work support method.

6. A time determination unit determines an estimated completion time until the work device finishes working in the first field, based on first operation information indicating the position and time of the work device working in the first field, and field information indicating the position and area of ​​a plurality of fields including the first field and the second field where the work device is working. A movement output unit outputs movement instruction information indicating that the conveying device that transports the work device should move to the first field based on the estimated completion time, A transport destination acquisition unit that acquires transport destination information indicating the second field to which the work device is to be transported, The transport device includes a transport destination output unit that outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device should be transported to the second field indicated by the transport destination information acquired by the transport destination acquisition unit, Equipped with, The destination acquisition unit is configured to determine the second field from the plurality of fields based on planning information indicating the work plan of the work device in the plurality of fields, the estimated completion time, and the field information. Work support system.

7. On the computer, Based on the location and area of ​​multiple fields, including first operational information indicating the location and time of the work device working in the first field, field information indicating the first field where the work device is working, and a second field, the estimated completion time until the work device finishes working in the first field is determined. Based on the estimated completion time, the conveying device that transports the work device outputs movement instruction information indicating that it should move to the first field. To obtain destination information indicating the second field to which the work device is to be transported, The transport device outputs transport instruction information indicating that the work device should be transported to the second field indicated by the acquired transport destination information, A program to execute, The acquisition of the destination information includes determining the second field from the plurality of fields based on planning information indicating the work plan of the work device in the plurality of fields, the estimated completion time, and the field information. program.

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