Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing equipment capable of determining or detecting information on a mixer car without using a sensor.SOLUTION: An information processing equipment 30 is mounted on a mixer car 10 provided with a rotatably mounted mixer drum 20. The information processing equipment 30 comprises a controller 50 executing at least one of the determination of the operation state of the mixer drum 20 and the detection of the physical quantity of ready mixed concrete exhausted from the mixer drum 20 based on an image imaged by a camera 31 imaging an opening part 20a of the mixer drum 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device mounted on a mixer truck.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a concrete mixer truck including a rotation detection device that detects the rotation direction and rotation speed of a mixer drum, an electronic flow meter that detects the amount of water in a water tank for washing an input chute, and an information processing device that performs data processing on each information obtained from sensors such as the rotation detection device and the electronic flow meter.

[0003] In the concrete mixer truck described in Patent Document 1, based on the detection signals detected by the rotation detection device and the electronic flow meter, it is determined whether unloading from the drum and washing of the fresh concrete input chute are performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the concrete mixer truck described in Patent Document 1, in order to determine information in the mixer truck such as unloading from the drum and washing of the fresh concrete input chute, sensors corresponding to the information to be determined are provided. Therefore, if the types of information to be determined increase, the types of sensors also increase, which may lead to an increase in cost.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing device that can determine and detect information in a mixer truck without using sensors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The information processing device of the present invention is mounted on a mixer truck equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum. The information processing device comprises an imaging unit that images the opening of the mixer drum, and a controller that determines the operating state of the mixer drum and detects the physical amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum based on the image captured by the imaging unit. The operating states of the mixer drum include: an agitation state in which the mixer drum rotates at a first rotational speed and agitates the fresh concrete inside the mixer drum; a kneading state in which the mixer drum rotates at a second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed and mixes the fresh concrete inside the mixer drum; and a discharge state in which the mixer drum rotates in the opposite direction to the agitation and kneading states and discharges the fresh concrete from the opening. It is characterized by the following: Furthermore, the information processing device of the present invention includes an imaging unit that images the opening of the mixer drum, and the operating state of the mixer drum based on the color and shape of the fluid passing through the opening in the image captured by the imaging unit. Whether or not the mixer drum is in a cleaning state, where cleaning water for cleaning the mixer drum is injected into the mixer drum. To make a determination, or to compare the fluid passing through the opening in the image captured by the imaging unit with the pre-stored ready-mix concrete. Flow rate and slump value By comparing it with the image, the ready-mix concrete discharged from the mixer drum Flow rate and slump value The system is characterized by comprising a controller that performs at least one of the following: detection.

[0008] These In this configuration, based on the image captured by the imaging unit, at least one of the following can be performed: determining the operating status of the mixer drum, and detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum. This eliminates the need to provide sensors for detecting the operating status of the mixer drum or sensors for detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum.

[0009] The information processing device of the present invention includes, as operating states of a mixer drum, an stirring state in which the mixer drum rotates at a first rotational speed and agitates the fresh concrete inside the mixer drum; a kneading state in which the mixer drum rotates at a second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed and mixes the fresh concrete inside the mixer drum; and a discharge state in which the mixer drum rotates in the opposite direction to the stirring state and the kneading state and discharges the fresh concrete from the opening. The controller calculates the rotation direction and rotational speed of the mixer drum from an image captured by an imaging unit, and determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum is the stirring state, the kneading state, or the discharge state based on the calculated rotation direction and rotational speed of the mixer drum.

[0010] In this configuration, the operating state of the mixer drum can be determined from the image captured by the imaging unit, whether it is in a stirring state, a kneading state, or a discharge state. As a result, there is no need to install a rotation sensor to detect the rotation speed and direction of rotation of the mixer drum, thus suppressing an increase in cost.

[0011] The information processing device of the present invention includes a cleaning state in which cleaning water for cleaning the mixer drum is injected into the mixer drum as an operating state of the mixer drum, and the controller determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum is the cleaning state by determining from the image captured by the imaging unit whether the fluid passing through the opening is ready-mixed concrete or cleaning water.

[0012] In this configuration, the operating state of the mixer drum can be determined from the image captured by the imaging unit, specifically whether it is in the cleaning state. This eliminates the need for flow sensors to measure the flow rate of the cleaning water, thus suppressing cost increases.

[0013] The information processing device of the present invention includes, as a physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete, at least one of the following: the amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum and the slump value of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum. The controller is characterized in that it detects at least one of the amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged and the slump value based on an image of the ready-mixed concrete flowing through an opening captured by the imaging unit.

[0014] In this configuration, the amount of ready-mix concrete discharged and the slump value can be detected based on images of the ready-mix concrete flowing through the opening. This reduces the need to install flow sensors to measure the flow rate of the ready-mix concrete and the number of tests to measure the slump value. As a result, the number of sensors and labor costs can be reduced, thus suppressing cost increases.

[0015] The present invention provides an information processing method for a mixer truck equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum, characterized by imaging the opening of the mixer drum, and, based on the image, determining the operating state of the mixer drum and detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum.

[0016] In this configuration, based on the captured image, at least one of the following can be performed: determining the operating status of the mixer drum, and detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum. This eliminates the need to provide sensors for detecting the operating status of the mixer drum or sensors for detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, based on the image captured by the imaging unit, at least one of the determination of the operating state of the mixing drum and the detection of the physical quantity of the fresh concrete discharged from the mixing drum can be performed. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for detecting the operating state of the mixing drum or a sensor for detecting the physical quantity of the fresh concrete discharged from the mixing drum. Therefore, an increase in cost can be suppressed.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a mixer truck on which an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. [Figure 2] It is a view of the inside of the mixing drum as seen from the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart regarding the determination of the operating state of the mixing drum of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart regarding the detection of the physical quantity of the fresh concrete discharged from the mixing drum of the present embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] An information processing system S including an information processing apparatus 30 of a mixer truck 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the mixer truck 10. The information processing system S determines the operating state of the mixing drum 20 and detects the physical quantity of the fresh concrete discharged from the mixing drum 20, and transmits this information to an operation management system 70 that manages the operation of the mixer truck 10.

[0021] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall configuration of a mixer truck 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] Mixer truck 10 is a vehicle used to transport so-called ready-mix concrete, such as mortar and ready-mix concrete (hereinafter referred to as "ready-mix concrete"). The following explanation describes the case when mixer truck 10 is loaded with ready-mix concrete.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the mixer truck 10 includes a frame 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a mixer drum 20 rotatably mounted on the frame 11, a drum drive device 12 that rotates the mixer drum 20, a hopper 13 that guides ready-mix concrete introduced from the outside into the mixer drum 20, and a chute 14 that guides the ready-mix concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 to a predetermined position.

[0024] The mixer drum 20 is a cylindrical container that rotates around a rotation axis C1. The rear end of the mixer drum 20 on the vehicle side is provided with an opening 20a for pouring in and discharging ready-mix concrete, and the front end on the vehicle side is provided with a drive shaft 21 that extends outward along the rotation axis C1. The mixer drum 20 is supported by the frame 11 with the rear end side, where the opening 20a is located, raised higher than the front end side.

[0025] The drive shaft 21 of the mixer drum 20 is connected to a hydraulic motor (not shown) located in the drum drive unit 12 via a gearbox (not shown). Therefore, the mixer drum 20 is rotationally driven by the hydraulic motor in either the forward or reverse direction. Alternatively, the drive shaft 21 of the mixer drum 20 may be connected to the drive engine (not shown) of the mixer car 10 via a gearbox, in which case the mixer drum 20 is rotationally driven by the drive engine. Furthermore, an electric motor may be used as the drive source for the mixer drum 20 instead of a hydraulic motor or engine. A conical cover member 25 is provided at the bottom of the mixer drum 20, on the inside of the front end, so as to cover the end of the drive shaft 21.

[0026] Furthermore, a pair of blades 22 and 23 are arranged spirally along the inner wall surface of the mixer drum 20. Each blade 22 and 23 is divided approximately in the middle of the mixer drum 20 into a front blade 22a and 23a located on the front side of the vehicle, and a rear blade 22b and 23b located on the rear side of the vehicle. Each rear blade 22b and 23b is joined to the inner wall surface of the mixer drum 20 at the opening 20a, and is also joined to a cylindrical seal pipe 24 positioned on the rotation axis C1 of the mixer drum 20. The seal pipe 24 is provided to smoothly guide the ready-mix concrete fed into the hopper 13 into the interior of the mixer drum 20.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 2, the structure of the inside of the mixer drum 20 as seen from the seal pipe 24 will be described. Figure 2 is a view of the inside of the mixer drum 20 through the inside of the seal pipe 24 from the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the cover member 25 is shown in the center, and the ends 22c and 23c of the front blades 22a and 23a are arranged around the cover member 25. Furthermore, as described above, each blade 22 and 23 is divided into front blades 22a and 23a and rear blades 22b and 23b approximately in the middle part of the mixer drum 20.

[0028] The seal pipe 24 has a cylindrical portion 24a that can slide against the hopper 13, and a pair of extensions 24b that extend from the cylindrical portion 24a toward the interior of the mixer drum 20. Each extension 24b is formed in a substantially triangular shape and has a hypotenuse 24c formed along the rear blades 22b and 23b, and a connecting side 24d formed from the hypotenuse 24c toward the cylindrical portion 24a. The seal pipe 24 is fixed to the mixer drum 20 by welding the hypotenuses 24c of the extensions 24b to the inside of the rear blades 22b and 23b, respectively.

[0029] The hopper 13 is positioned above the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20 to guide the ready-mix concrete, which is fed in from above the mixer truck 10, into the mixer drum 20 through the seal pipe 24. A hopper cover 15 is rotatably mounted on the top of the hopper 13 via a hinge 15a to cover the opening of the hopper 13. Meanwhile, a chute 14 is positioned below the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20 to guide the ready-mix concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 to a predetermined position.

[0030] The mixer truck 10 has the following operating states for the mixer drum 20: an agitation state in which the mixer drum 20 is rotated at a first rotational speed V1 to agitate the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum 20; a kneading state in which the mixer drum 20 is rotated at a second rotational speed V2 which is faster than the first rotational speed V1 to mix the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum 20; and a discharge state in which the mixer drum 20 is rotated in the opposite direction to the agitation and kneading states to discharge the ready-mixed concrete from the opening 20a.

[0031] In the mixing state, the mixer drum 20 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, which is counterclockwise when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. In the mixing state, the blades 22 and 23 rotate forward together with the mixer drum 20, causing the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum 20 to move forward while being mixed. By rotating the mixer drum 20 in this way and mixing the ready-mixed concrete, separation and solidification of the concrete are suppressed.

[0032] In the mixing state, the mixer drum 20 is driven to rotate at a second rotational speed V2 that is faster than the first rotational speed V1 of the mixer drum 20 in the forward rotational direction during agitation. The mixing state is performed in order to mix the ready-mix concrete before discharge.

[0033] In the discharge state, the mixer drum 20 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. In the discharge state, the blades 22 and 23 rotate together with the mixer drum 20, causing the ready-mix concrete to be agitated and move toward the rear of the mixer drum 20. By rotating the mixer drum 20 in the reverse direction in this way, the ready-mix concrete can be discharged from the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20. The ready-mix concrete discharged from the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20 is guided to a predetermined position via the chute 14.

[0034] Furthermore, the mixer truck 10 is equipped with a cleaning state as an operating state. In the cleaning state, cleaning water is injected into the mixer drum 20 when it is empty, and a cleaning operation is performed to clean the inside of the mixer drum 20.

[0035] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the information processing system S installed in the mixer truck 10 will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic of the information processing system S. The information processing system S comprises an information processing device 30 attached near the hopper 13 of the mixer drum 20, and an in-cabin processing device 60 provided inside the cabin 16.

[0036] The information processing device 30 includes a controller 50 that processes image data captured by a camera 31, which acts as an imaging unit that images the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20, and a transmission unit 32 that transmits the information obtained by the controller 50 to an in-cabin processing device 60 located inside the cabin 16 of the mixer vehicle 10.

[0037] Camera 31 is mounted on the hopper 13 in a position that allows it to photograph the inside of the mixer drum 20, more specifically, so that it can photograph the inside of the seal pipe 24. The images captured by camera 31 are video, but they may also be still images taken at predetermined intervals.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the controller 50 includes an image processing unit 51 that takes in images captured by the camera 31 and processes them, a determination unit 52 that determines the operating state of the mixer drum 20 based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 51, a detection unit 53 that detects the physical amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 51, and a storage unit 54 that stores the images captured by the camera 31.

[0039] Specifically, the controller 50 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and an I / O interface (Input / Output Interface). The RAM stores data from the CPU's processing, the ROM stores the CPU's control programs and the like in advance, and the I / O interface is used for inputting and outputting information with connected devices. The controller 50 may be composed of multiple microcomputers. In this embodiment, the image processing unit 51, the determination unit 52, and the detection unit 53 represent the functions of the controller 50 as virtual units and do not mean that they physically exist.

[0040] The image processing unit 51 extracts images of the blades 22 and 23 from the images captured by the camera 31. Specifically, the image processing unit 51 refers to image data of the blades 22 and 23 that has been pre-stored in the controller 50, extracts the blades 22 and 23 from the captured images, and identifies their positions.

[0041] Furthermore, the image processing unit 51 extracts the fluid flowing through the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20 from the image captured by the camera 31. Specifically, the image processing unit 51 extracts an image of the fluid flowing near the opening 20a in the captured image.

[0042] The determination unit 52 calculates the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum 20 based on the temporal change in the positions of the blades 22 and 23 identified by the image processing unit 51. Furthermore, the determination unit 52 determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum 20 is stirring, kneading, or discharge, based on the calculated rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum 20.

[0043] Furthermore, the determination unit 52 determines whether the fluid passing through the opening 20a is ready-mix concrete or washing water based on the color and shape of the fluid in the image of the fluid passing through the opening 20a extracted by the image processing unit 51. If the determination unit 52 determines that the fluid flowing through the opening 20a is washing water, it determines that the operating state of the mixer drum 20 is in the washing state, regardless of the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum 20.

[0044] The determination result of the operating status of the mixer drum 20, determined by the determination unit 52, is transmitted to the cabin processing unit 60 via the transmission unit 32.

[0045] The detection unit 53 detects the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 51.

[0046] The controller 50 stores image data for each flow rate of ready-mix concrete passing through the opening 20a, which has been measured in advance through experiments, and image data for each slump value of ready-mix concrete passing through the opening 20a. The detection unit 53 refers to these stored image data to detect the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mix concrete.

[0047] The flow rate and slump value of the ready-mix concrete detected by the detection unit 53 are transmitted to the cabin-in-cabin processing device 60 via the transmission unit 32.

[0048] The storage unit 54 stores image data captured by the camera 31. The storage unit 54 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk installed inside the controller 50. The storage unit 54 has a capacity to store several days' worth of image data. The storage unit 54 may be a storage medium that is detachable from the controller 50.

[0049] The cabin processing device 60 includes a receiving device 61 that receives the determination result of the operating status of the mixer drum 20 determined by the determination unit 52, and the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mixed concrete detected by the detection unit 53, and a communication device 62 that transmits the information received by the receiving device 61 to an operation management system 70 located outside the mixer vehicle 10 at a business office or the like.

[0050] The transmitting unit 32 of the information processing device 30 and the receiving device 61 of the in-cabin processing device 60 are connected in a way that enables communication, for example, by wireless communication such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®. Alternatively, they may be connected in a way that enables communication by a communication cable or the like.

[0051] The communication device 62 and the operation management system 70 are connected in a way that enables communication, for example, by wireless communication using a mobile phone line. The receiving device 61 and the communication device 62 do not need to be separate components; they may be integrated into a single unit.

[0052] Furthermore, the cabin processing unit 60 transmits vehicle information to the operation management system 70, including the result of determining the operating status of the mixer drum 20, the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mixed concrete detected by the detection unit 53, and the location information of the mixer truck 10. The operation management system 70 manages the operation of the mixer truck 10 based on this information.

[0053] Next, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the flow of information processing performed by the information processing device 30 in the information processing system S will be described. The information processing device 30 continuously repeats the flow shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0054] First, with reference to Figure 4, the flow for determining the operating status of the mixer drum 20 will be explained. In step S11 shown in Figure 4, the image captured by the camera 31 is taken into the image processing unit 51.

[0055] In step S12, images of blades 22 and 23 are extracted from the images captured by the camera 31. Specifically, the image processing unit 51 refers to the image data of blades 22 and 23 that has been pre-stored in the controller 50 to extract blades 22 and 23 from the captured images and to identify their positions.

[0056] In step S13, the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum 20 are calculated based on the temporal changes in the positions of the blades 22 and 23 identified by the image processing unit 51 in step S12.

[0057] Furthermore, in step S14, simultaneously with step S12, the image processing unit 51 in the information processing device 30 extracts an image of the fluid flowing near the opening 20a in the captured image.

[0058] In step S15, the system determines whether the fluid flowing near the opening 20a is ready-mix concrete or washing water based on the color and shape of the fluid in the fluid image extracted by the image processing unit 51 in step S14.

[0059] In step S16, based on the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum 20 calculated in step S13 and the type of fluid determined in step S15, it is determined whether the operating state of the mixer drum 20 is stirring, kneading, discharging, or washing.

[0060] In step S17, the controller 50 transmits the operating status of the mixer drum 20, which was determined in step S16, to the cabin processing unit 60 via the transmission unit 32.

[0061] Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the flow of detecting the physical quantities (flow rate and slump value) of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20.

[0062] In step S21 shown in Figure 5, the image captured by the camera 31 is taken into the image processing unit 51.

[0063] Next, in step S22, the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mix concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 are detected based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 51. Specifically, the detection unit 53 compares the image data for each flow rate and each slump value of the ready-mix concrete passing through the opening 20a, which are stored in advance in the controller 50, with the image captured by the camera 31 to detect the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mix concrete.

[0064] In step S23, the controller 50 transmits the concrete flow rate and concrete slump value detected in step S22 to the cabin processing device 60 via the transmission unit 32.

[0065] As described above, the information processing device 30 of this embodiment can determine the operating state of the mixer drum 20 and detect the physical quantity (flow rate and slump value) of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 based on the image captured by the camera 31. This eliminates the need to provide sensors for determining the operating state of the mixer drum 20 and sensors for detecting the physical quantity (flow rate and slump value) of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20, thereby suppressing cost increases.

[0066] Furthermore, since the information processing device 30 of this embodiment is connected to the cabin processing device 60 wirelessly, no wiring work is required. Therefore, the information processing device 30 can be easily installed. Moreover, it can be additionally installed on existing mixer vehicles.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the operating state of the mixer drum 20 was determined to be one of the following: stirring state, kneading state, discharge state, or washing state. However, a stopped state (a state in which the mixer drum 20 is stopped) may also be added to the determination. Furthermore, it is not necessary to perform all of these determinations. For example, only the two operating states, stirring state and discharge state, may be determined.

[0068] In the information processing device 30, the camera 31 and the controller 50 do not need to be integrated; they may be separate. If the camera 31 and the controller 50 are configured as separate units, they may be connected wirelessly. Furthermore, the information processing device 30 may be provided with a display unit that displays the determination results determined by the determination unit 52 and the detection results detected by the detection unit 53.

[0069] The cabin processing unit 60 may be equipped with a display unit to display information transmitted from the information processing unit 30.

[0070] Alternatively, the memory unit 54 may store the determination results determined by the determination unit 52 and the detection results detected by the detection unit 53.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the rotational speed and direction of the mixer drum 20 were calculated by extracting the blades 22 and 23. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, a marker may be provided on the mixer drum 20, and the rotational speed and direction of the mixer drum 20 may be calculated by detecting this marker.

[0072] The configuration, operation, and effects of the embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0073] The information processing device 30 of the present invention is mounted on a mixer truck 10 equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum 20. The information processing device 30 includes a controller 50 that performs at least one of the following based on an image captured by an imaging unit (camera 31) that images the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20: determining the operating state of the mixer drum 20 and detecting the physical amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20.

[0074] In this configuration, based on the image captured by the imaging unit (camera 31), at least one of the following can be performed: determining the operating state of the mixer drum 20, and detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20. This eliminates the need to provide sensors for detecting the operating state of the mixer drum 20 or sensors for detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20. Therefore, cost increases can be suppressed.

[0075] The information processing device 30 of the present invention includes the following operating states for the mixer drum 20: an agitation state in which the mixer drum 20 rotates at a first rotational speed V1 and agitates the fresh concrete inside the mixer drum 20; a kneading state in which the mixer drum 20 rotates at a second rotational speed V2 which is faster than the first rotational speed V1 and mixes the fresh concrete inside the mixer drum 20; and a discharge state in which the mixer drum 20 rotates in the opposite direction to the agitation state and the kneading state and discharges the fresh concrete from the opening 20a. The controller 50 calculates the rotation direction and rotational speed of the mixer drum 20 from the image captured by the imaging unit (camera 31), and determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum 20 is the agitation state, the kneading state, or the discharge state based on the calculated rotation direction and rotational speed of the mixer drum 20.

[0076] In this configuration, the operating state of the mixer drum 20 can be determined from the image captured by the imaging unit (camera 31) to be either a stirring state, a kneading state, or a discharge state. As a result, there is no need to provide a rotation sensor to detect the rotation speed and direction of rotation of the mixer drum 20, thus suppressing an increase in costs.

[0077] The information processing device 30 of the present invention includes a cleaning state in which cleaning water is injected into the mixer drum 20 as an operating state of the mixer drum 20, and the controller 50 determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum 20 is the cleaning state by determining from the image captured by the imaging unit (camera 31) whether the fluid passing through the opening 20a is ready-mixed concrete or cleaning water.

[0078] In this configuration, the operating state of the mixer drum 20 can be determined from the image captured by the imaging unit (camera 31) to be in the cleaning state. This eliminates the need for an end sensor to measure the flow rate of the cleaning water, thus suppressing cost increases.

[0079] The information processing device 30 of the present invention includes at least one of the following as physical quantities of ready-mixed concrete: the amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20 and the slump value of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20. The controller 50 detects at least one of the amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged and the slump value based on an image of the ready-mixed concrete flowing through the opening 20a captured by the imaging unit (camera 31).

[0080] In this configuration, the amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged and the slump value can be detected based on an image of the ready-mixed concrete flowing through the opening 20a. This reduces the need to install a flow sensor to measure the flow rate of the ready-mixed concrete and the number of tests to measure the slump value. As a result, the number of sensors and labor costs can be reduced, thus suppressing cost increases.

[0081] The information processing device 30 of the present invention further includes a transmitting unit 32 that transmits information obtained by the controller 50 to a receiving device 61 provided inside the cabin 16 of the mixer car 10.

[0082] In this configuration, information obtained by the controller 50 of the information processing device 30 can be received by the receiving device 61 located inside the cabin 16.

[0083] The information processing system S for the mixer truck 10 of the present invention comprises an information processing device 30, a receiving device 61 provided inside the cabin 16 of the mixer truck 10, and a communication device 62 capable of transmitting information received by the receiving device 61 to the operation management system 70 of the mixer truck 10, which is provided outside the mixer truck 10.

[0084] In this configuration, information obtained by the information processing device 30 can be sent to the operation management system 70 of the mixer vehicle 10, which is located outside the mixer vehicle 10. As a result, the operation management system 70 can acquire information about the mixer vehicle 10 in real time and perform appropriate operation management.

[0085] The mixer vehicle 10 of the present invention is equipped with an information processing system S.

[0086] The information processing method for a mixer truck 10 equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum 20 of the present invention involves imaging the opening 20a of the mixer drum 20, and based on the image, performing at least one of the following: determining the operating state of the mixer drum 20, and detecting the physical amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20.

[0087] In this configuration, based on the captured image, at least one of the following can be performed: determining the operating state of the mixer drum 20, and detecting the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20. This eliminates the need to install sensors to detect the operating state of the mixer drum 20 or sensors to detect the physical quantity of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum 20. Therefore, cost increases can be suppressed.

[0088] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10... Mixer car, 20... Mixer drum, 20a... Opening, 30... Information processing device, 31... Camera (imaging unit), 32... Transmitter unit, 50... Controller, 51... Image processing unit, 52... Judgment unit, 53... Detection unit, 54... Storage unit, 60... Cabin processing device, 61... Receiving device, 62... Communication device, 70... Operation management system

Claims

1. An information processing device mounted on a mixer car equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum, An imaging unit for imaging the opening of the mixer drum, The system includes a controller that determines the operating state of the mixer drum and detects the physical amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum based on the image captured by the imaging unit, The operating state of the mixer drum is as follows: The mixer drum rotates at a first rotational speed, and the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum is agitated. The mixer drum rotates at a second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed, and the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum is mixed in a mixing state. The mixer drum rotates in the opposite direction to the stirring and mixing states, and discharges the fresh concrete from the opening, An information processing device characterized by including

2. An information processing device mounted on a mixer car equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum, An imaging unit for imaging the opening of the mixer drum, An information processing device comprising a controller that performs at least one of the following: determining whether the mixing drum is in a cleaning state, where cleaning water for cleaning the mixing drum is injected into the mixing drum, based on the color and shape of the fluid passing through the opening in an image captured by the imaging unit; or detecting the flow rate and slump value of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixing drum by comparing the fluid passing through the opening in an image captured by the imaging unit with images of the flow rate and slump value of ready-mixed concrete stored in advance.

3. The aforementioned controller, From the image captured by the imaging unit, the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum are calculated. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum is the stirring state, the kneading state, or the discharge state, based on the calculated rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum.

4. The operating state of the mixer drum further includes a cleaning state in which cleaning water for cleaning the mixer drum is injected into the mixer drum. The aforementioned controller, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that it determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum is the cleaning state by determining from the image captured by the imaging unit whether the fluid passing through the opening is ready-mixed concrete or cleaning water.

5. The physical quantities of the ready-mixed concrete include at least one of the flow rate of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum and the slump value of the ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4, characterized in that the controller detects at least one of the flow rate and slump value of the ready-mixed concrete based on an image of the ready-mixed concrete flowing through the opening captured by the imaging unit.

6. A method for processing information in a mixer car equipped with a rotatably mounted mixer drum, The opening of the mixer drum is imaged, Based on the captured image, the operating state of the mixer drum is determined, and the physical amount of ready-mixed concrete discharged from the mixer drum is detected. The operating state of the mixer drum is as follows: The mixer drum rotates at a first rotational speed, and the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum is agitated. The mixer drum rotates at a second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed, and the ready-mixed concrete inside the mixer drum is mixed in a mixing state. The mixer drum rotates in the opposite direction to the stirring and mixing states, and discharges the fresh concrete from the opening, An information processing method characterized by including

7. The controller is The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it determines whether the operating state of the mixer drum is the cleaning state by determining from the image captured by the imaging unit whether the fluid passing through the opening is ready-mixed concrete or cleaning water.

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