MANAGEMENT METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing information about multiple piles of granular or powdered material, and includes a mapping procedure (S1, S2) to create a three-dimensional map showing the locations and shapes of multiple piles of material, a linking procedure (S3 to S7) to link the locations of multiple piles of material in the three-dimensional map with the corresponding information of multiple piles of material, and an output procedure (S8, S9) to output the information of the target pile of material such that the information is displayed together with the image of the target pile of material on a display terminal when the display terminal is pointed toward the target pile of material among multiple piles of material.

Description

Management method and management device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management method and a management device, and more particularly to a management method and a management device for managing information on multiple piles of granular or powdery materials.

[0002] For example, in steel mills, granular or powdery materials such as iron ore and coal (hereinafter referred to as "granular materials, etc.") are used to make steel products, and these raw materials are reacted to produce iron products. Here, granular materials, etc., also include slag, which is one of the by-products generated in the process of manufacturing iron products.

[0003] For example, because multiple brands of iron ore and coal are used simultaneously, it is necessary to understand their usage amounts and implement operations that optimize reaction efficiency according to their ratios. Therefore, inventory status must be monitored on-site. Furthermore, for example, the quality of slag must be monitored on-site to prevent quality problems. For example, slag from the pile that meets the standards through sampling tests on-site must be appropriately selected and shipped.

[0004] Here, techniques such as those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been proposed as methods for measuring raw material piles for inventory management. Patent Document 1 discloses a raw material pile measurement method in which multiple images of the raw material pile are taken so that some of the images overlap, the distance traveled between the photographing positions is measured, and three-dimensional coordinates are calculated using the principle of triangulation to obtain the three-dimensional shape of the raw material pile. Patent Document 2 discloses a raw material pile shape measurement method in which an unmanned aerial vehicle is moved in the length direction of the raw material yard while continuously photographing the raw material yard, and the shape of the raw material pile is measured using an object with a known length captured in the photographed images as a reference.

[0005] JP 2019-020131 A JP 2016-061674 A

[0006] However, while the techniques in these patent documents can measure the shape or inventory amount (volume, weight) of piles of granular materials, etc., they cannot systematically manage this data, grasp the inventory status, or track (traceability). Furthermore, even if a worker looks at the actual pile on-site, he or she cannot confirm whether the pile is actually the pile to be removed.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a management method and a management device that can perform inventory management appropriately and efficiently.

[0008] (1) A management method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a management method for managing information on a plurality of mountains made of granular or powdery material, and includes: a map generation process for generating a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the plurality of mountains; a linking process for linking the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; and an output process for outputting information on a target mountain on a display terminal when the display terminal is pointed at a target mountain among the plurality of mountains, so that the information on the target mountain can be displayed together with an image of the target mountain on the display terminal.

[0009] (2) As one embodiment of the present disclosure, in (1), the map generating step generates the three-dimensional map based on measurement data of the plurality of peaks measured by a shape measuring device, and the linking step calculates at least one of the volume and weight of each of the plurality of peaks based on the measurement data.

[0010] (3) As one embodiment of the present disclosure, in (2), the map generation process updates the three-dimensional map based on the measurement data measured at any timing, and the linking process updates at least one of the volume and weight of each of the plurality of mountains based on the measurement data.

[0011] (4) As one embodiment of the present disclosure, in (3), the method further includes a determination step of comparing the change in at least one of the volume and weight of the pile of goods to be removed with the shipping amount of the pile of goods to be removed to determine the correctness of the shipment.

[0012] (5) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in any one of (1) to (4), the linking step links at least one of the following information about the multiple piles: volume, weight, product type, lot number, sampling test results, shipping information, and manufacturing history.

[0013] (6) A management device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a management device that manages information on a plurality of mountains made of granular or powdery material, and includes: a map generation unit that generates a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the plurality of mountains; a linking unit that links the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; and an output unit that, when a display terminal is pointed at a target mountain among the plurality of mountains, outputs information on the target mountain so that the information on the target mountain can be displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a management method and a management device that can perform inventory management appropriately and efficiently.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management system including a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error between a calculated weight and an actual weight of a mountain. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed on a display terminal. Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] A management method and a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a management system including a management device according to this embodiment. The management device is shown in a block diagram illustrating an example of its internal configuration.

[0017] (Overall Configuration of the Management Device) The management device according to this embodiment manages information on multiple piles of granular materials, etc. "Granular materials, etc." refers to granular or powdery materials, and specific examples include raw materials such as iron ore and coal, or by-products such as slag. For example, granular materials, etc. are transported from a ship or a factory, mixed as needed, and piled up in piles at a storage location such as a yard. In this specification, a "pile" refers to a mass of piled granular materials, etc. Different piles may be formed depending on the type, composition, or transportation date of the granular materials, etc. As shown in FIG. 1 , multiple piles exist at the storage location. In this embodiment, the management device is located away from the storage location, while workers perform tasks such as dispensing at the storage location. In the following description, the storage location where tasks such as dispensing are performed may be referred to as the "site."

[0018] The management device includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 includes a map generation unit 131, a linking unit 132, a determination unit 133, and an output unit 134. The management device may be, for example, a computer in its hardware configuration. The computer may be a server computer or a portable computer such as a laptop or tablet. Details of the components of the management device will be described later. Here, the management device may not be a single device, but may be composed of multiple devices located in multiple locations and capable of sending and receiving data between them via a network. In other words, multiple devices connected via a network may function as a whole as the management device shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, for example, the management device may be, for example, a single computer in its hardware configuration, or may be composed of multiple computers connected via a network. When composed of multiple computers, the storage unit 12 may be a shared memory accessible by each computer.

[0019] The management device, together with devices connected via a network, may constitute a management system. The network may be, for example, the Internet. The network may also include, for example, a local area network (LAN). In this embodiment, the management system includes a display terminal used by a worker performing work on-site. The display terminal is a device having at least a display function, and may be, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet. The display terminal displays information output from the management device and determination results. The display terminal may have an imaging function (i.e., a camera) as in this embodiment. The display terminal may also transmit position information (e.g., coordinates indicating the position of the display terminal) and attitude information (e.g., the orientation and tilt of the display terminal) to the management device via the network. The position information and attitude information may be used as "input information for identifying the selected pile," described below. The display terminal may also transmit information input by the worker using a touch panel or the like to the management device via the network. The information input by the worker may include a lot number, described below. Furthermore, the lot number and location information may be used as "input information for identifying the pile to be tested" as described below.

[0020] The management system may also be configured to include a shape measurement device that measures the shape of a mountain and outputs measurement data. The shape measurement device may transmit measurement data for multiple mountains to the management device via a network. The shape measurement device may be a known device such as a camera or a three-dimensional scanner (3D scanner), but is not limited to these, and may be any device that can measure the three-dimensional shape of a mountain. The shape measurement device may be placed at a location where it can measure the mountain, and may be mounted on a mobile object such as a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) or a vehicle, or may be fixedly installed at a fixed point such as the exterior wall of a building, or may be mounted on a tripod or the like whose position can be determined by a person.

[0021] The management system may also include a testing machine that executes a sampling test, which will be described later. The testing machine may transmit test results to the management device via a network.

[0022] The components of the management device are described in detail below. The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication modules that connect to a network. The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 11 may include a communication module that supports wired or wireless LAN standards.

[0023] The storage unit 12 is one or more memories. The memory may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these, and may be any memory. The storage unit 12 is, for example, built into the management device, but may also be configured to be externally accessed by the management device via any interface.

[0024] The storage unit 12 stores various data used in various calculations performed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 may also store results and intermediate data of various calculations performed by the control unit 13.

[0025] The storage unit 12 may temporarily store various information from devices connected via a network. The storage unit 12 may also store information about mountains linked to their positions by the linking unit 132. The storage unit 12 may also store the results of a determination made by the determination unit 133 regarding the correctness of shipment.

[0026] The control unit 13 is one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these and may be any processor. The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the management device.

[0027] Here, the management device may have the following software configuration: One or more programs used to control the operation of the management device are stored in the storage unit 12. When the programs stored in the storage unit 12 are read by the processor of the control unit 13, they cause the control unit 13 to function as a map generation unit 131, a linking unit 132, a determination unit 133, and an output unit 134.

[0028] The map generator 131 generates a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the multiple peaks. In this embodiment, the map generator 131 generates the three-dimensional map based on measurement data of the multiple peaks measured by the shape measuring device.

[0029] Here, the shape measurement device may be, for example, a commercially available surveying unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a camera, and the camera may capture images of the mountain while the surveying unmanned aerial vehicle is flying. The map generation unit 131 can create a 3D map using photogrammetry by combining the captured images as measurement data with the position information of the surveying unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0030] To improve the accuracy of the captured image (measurement data), it is preferable for the shape measurement device to capture images that capture many uneven surfaces, such as mountain peaks and foothills. By using such measurement data, the map generator 131 can generate a highly accurate 3D map.

[0031] The shape measurement device may also be configured as a vehicle equipped with a 3D scanner, which performs 3D scanning from any location while traveling around a pile of granular material or the like. The 3D scanning is performed multiple times while changing locations. The map generator 131 can generate a 3D map by combining the position information of the measurement location and the 3D data as measurement data.

[0032] Measurements using the shape measuring device may be performed at any timing. Specifically, measurements may be performed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., once a week), at a timing instructed by an operator, or before or after shipping. The map generator 131 may update the three-dimensional map based on measurement data measured at any timing. Updating the three-dimensional map at any timing allows the determination unit 133, described later, to accurately determine the correctness of shipping.

[0033] The linking unit 132 links the positions of multiple peaks in the 3D map generated by the map generation unit 131 with information about the multiple peaks. The peak information may include at least one of the lot number (identification code) of the granular material, the product type, the manufacturing date, shipping (dispense) information, manufacturing history, the retention period, precipitation during the retention period, the amount of water sprayed during the retention period, the amount of pesticide applied, and the peak temperature. The retention period, precipitation during the retention period, the amount of water sprayed during the retention period, the amount of pesticide applied, and the peak temperature are particularly information related to the particle size of the granular material. The peak information may be information stored in the memory unit 12 in advance or information entered by an operator via a display device. The peak information may also be information estimated or calculated from measurement data, including volume, weight, etc., as described below. The peak information may also include sampling test results from a testing machine. In this embodiment, the linking unit 132 links the information of the multiple piles together by at least one of the following: volume, weight, product type, lot number, sampling test results, shipping information, and manufacturing history. The sampling test results may include particle size, quality, etc.

[0034] The linking unit 132 may calculate at least one of the volume and weight of each of the multiple mountains based on the measurement data. Here, the calculation of the mountain volume may be performed by the map generating unit 131, and the linking unit 132 may acquire the calculated mountain volume. In other words, the volume or weight of each of the multiple mountains may be calculated by the map generating unit 131 or the linking unit 132. In this embodiment, the linking unit 132 is described as calculating at least one of the volume and weight of each of the multiple mountains. The linking unit 132 calculates the volume of a three-dimensional object above the ground as the mountain volume based on three-dimensional data (measurement data) of the mountain. Furthermore, the linking unit 132 can calculate the mountain weight from the mountain volume and the density (specific gravity) of each type of mountain. The linking unit 132 may calculate at least one of the mountain volume and weight using, for example, the method described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an error between the calculated weight of a mountain and the actual weight. In the example of Figure 2, a camera on a surveying unmanned aircraft was used as the shape measurement device. Each pile was assigned a unique lot number. The actual weight (A) was calculated based on the weight measured during transportation of the granular material, etc. The error between the weight (B) calculated (estimated) by the linking unit 132 and the actual weight (A) was calculated as the absolute value of (1-B / A). In the example of Figure 2, the surveying error was 1.4% or less, demonstrating that the weight of the pile can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0035] Furthermore, when measurements are performed at any timing using the shape measuring device as described above, the linking unit 132 updates at least one of the volume and weight of each of the multiple piles based on the measurement data.

[0036] The determination unit 133 compares the amount of change in at least one of the volume and weight of the pile that is the target of the removal operation with the amount of shipment of the pile that is the target of the removal operation to determine the accuracy of the shipment. The amount of change in at least one of the volume and weight of the pile is calculated from the values ​​before and after the update by the linking unit 132. The amount of shipment is obtained from the shipping (removal) information included in the pile information.

[0037] The output unit 134 outputs information about a target mountain designated by, for example, a worker. The target mountain may be designated manually by the worker, but in this embodiment, the designation is performed by pointing the display terminal toward the target mountain. When the display terminal is pointed toward a target mountain among multiple mountains, the output unit 134 outputs information about the target mountain to display it on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain. Here, the target mountain may be identified based on a three-dimensional map and the position and orientation information of the display terminal. When the display terminal displays an image of the target mountain using an imaging function, information from the output unit 134 may be displayed together with the image of the target mountain using a known augmented reality (AR) technique. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a display terminal. Here, multiple mountains on a work site generally have similar shapes, making it easy for workers to confuse the mountains. Being able to check the information while viewing the target mountain, as shown in FIG. 3, allows workers to perform tasks such as removal without error on the work site.

[0038] Furthermore, the output unit 134 may output the determination result regarding the accuracy of the shipment made by the determination unit 133. When the display terminal is pointed at a target pile among the multiple piles, the output unit 134 may output the determination result so that the determination result is displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target pile. By also referring to the determination result, the worker can perform error-free removal work on site and can immediately notice any errors.

[0039] (Management Method) Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the management method executed by the management device according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the judgment unit 133 judges whether the shipment is correct, and also performs a sampling test to test the quality, etc. The results of the sampling test are used to judge whether the granular matter, etc. that make up the pile meets the shipping standards.

[0040] The map generator 131 acquires measurement data of multiple peaks measured by the shape measurement device (step S1). The map generator 131 generates a 3D map indicating the positions and shapes of the multiple peaks (step S2). In the example of Fig. 4, the generation of the 3D map includes not only the generation of a new map but also updating the map at any timing. Steps S1 and S2 correspond to the map generation process.

[0041] The linking unit 132 acquires input information for identifying the pile to be tested (step S3). The input information in step S3 includes the pile's lot number and the display terminal's location information. The lot number is entered by an operator on-site using the display terminal. The input information in step S3 may further include the display terminal's orientation information. The linking unit 132 uses a three-dimensional map to link the lot number with the pile corresponding to the display terminal's location information (step S4). Here, the operator may directly enter the lot number on the three-dimensional map to link the lot number. The linking unit 132 outputs a barcode that is read by the testing machine and enables the testing machine to automatically transmit the test results to the management device (step S5). In this embodiment, the linking unit 132 issues a barcode. However, any identification code that can be read by the testing machine and that individually identifies the piles may be used; this is not limited to a barcode. The operator assigns a lot number to each of the multiple piles and performs a sampling test. Although the lot number is a number in this embodiment, it may be any identification code that is assigned to the smallest unit that compiles a predetermined quantity of products (granular materials, etc.), such as a code consisting of letters or a combination of letters and numbers. The identification code is used not only for sampling tests but also for tasks such as dispensing.

[0042] The operator uses the tester's reader to read the barcode displayed on the display terminal. The operator then uses the tester to conduct a sampling test to test the quality of granular materials, etc., obtained from the pile. The tester may perform quality tests on the sample's particle size, chemical composition, etc. The linking unit 132 acquires the sampling test results automatically transmitted from the tester in association with the barcode (step S6). The linking unit 132 also links the sampling test results to the lot number assigned to the pile and information about the already associated pile (step S7). The operator may input at least some of the information into the tester, such as the variety, manufacturing date, manufacturing history, retention period, precipitation during the retention period, amount of water sprayed during the retention period, amount of chemical sprayed, and pile temperature. In this case, this information can also be automatically transmitted to the management device as the sampling test results. Steps S3 to S7 correspond to the linking process. In this linking process, shipping (delivery) information is also linked based on commonalities such as lot numbers or variety.

[0043] Furthermore, while working on-site, for example, a worker selects a mountain about which they want to obtain information by capturing an image of the mountain using the display terminal. The output unit 134 acquires input information for identifying the selected mountain (step S8). The input information in step S8 includes position information and orientation information of the display terminal. The output unit 134 identifies the mountain toward which the display terminal is pointed (the selected mountain) based on the 3D map and the position information and orientation information of the display terminal, and outputs information about the selected mountain (step S9). Steps S8 and S9 correspond to the output process. The worker can check information such as the lot number of the mountain associated with the image of the selected mountain and the results of sampling tests on the display terminal.

[0044] During the removal work, the worker selects the pile to be removed by capturing an image of it using the display terminal. The worker also uses the display terminal to issue an instruction to perform a judgment. The judgment unit 133 acquires the instruction to perform the judgment (step S10). Similarly to step S8, the judgment unit 133 also acquires input information for identifying the pile to be removed. The judgment unit 133 acquires the amount of change in at least one of the volume and weight of the pile to be removed and the shipping amount of the pile to be removed (step S11). The judgment unit 133 then compares the amount of change in at least one of the volume and weight with the shipping amount to determine the accuracy of the shipment (step S12). The output unit 134 outputs the judgment result for the pile to be removed (step S13). Steps S10 to S13 correspond to the judgment process.

[0045] Here, in the determination process, a determination may be made as to whether the target pile can be shipped and whether the shipping amount is correct. For example, based on shipping information, a shipping (dispatch) destination and reference values ​​and reference items for the granular material to be distributed to the destination may be set in advance. Reference values ​​may be set for, for example, particle size, quality, retention period, etc. Furthermore, reference items may be, for example, whether a sampling test has been conducted or whether a manufacturing history has been recorded. If the reference values ​​and reference items for distribution to the destination are met, the determination result may be "pass." If the reference values ​​or reference items for distribution to the destination are not met, the determination result may be "fail." Furthermore, in the case of a "pass" result, the quantity (weight) after the distribution operation may be automatically calculated. Here, for example, if an abnormality is found in the calculation, such as a difference from the expected quantity (weight), a determination result (alert) indicating erroneous shipping may be displayed.

[0046] As described above, the management method and management device according to the present embodiment, using the above-described configuration and process, generate a 3D map of piles of granular materials, etc., and associate pile information with the 3D map, enabling appropriate and efficient inventory management. Furthermore, by displaying information on a display terminal at the site (the storage area where the piles are located), workers can immediately check information useful for their work. For example, workers can check the piles to be removed on-site, and can also manage the inventory of granular materials, etc. Furthermore, the management method and management device according to the present embodiment enable traceability (understanding and tracking of inventory status) of granular materials, etc. For example, by performing the above-described determination at the time of shipping granular materials, etc., it becomes possible to detect mistakes in the piles to be shipped and unexpected inventory changes (misshipments).

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art would easily be able to make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executed by a processor included in an apparatus or a storage medium on which a program is recorded. It should be understood that these are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 13 Control unit 131 Map generation unit 132 Linking unit 133 Determination unit 134 Output unit

Claims

1. A management method for managing information on a plurality of mountains made of granular or powdery material, comprising: a map generation process for generating a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the plurality of mountains; a linking process for linking the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map with information on the plurality of mountains; and an output process for outputting the information on a target mountain on a display terminal when the display terminal is pointed at a target mountain among the plurality of mountains, so as to display the information on the target mountain together with an image of the target mountain on the display terminal.

2. The management method according to claim 1, wherein the map generating step generates the three-dimensional map based on measurement data of the plurality of peaks measured by a shape measuring device, and the linking step calculates at least one of the volume and weight of each of the plurality of peaks based on the measurement data.

3. The management method according to claim 2, wherein the map generating step updates the three-dimensional map based on the measurement data measured at any timing, and the linking step updates at least one of the volume and weight of each of the plurality of mountains based on the measurement data.

4. The management method according to claim 3, further comprising a determination step of comparing at least one of the changes in volume and weight of the pile subject to the removal operation with the shipping amount of the pile subject to the removal operation to determine the correctness of the shipment.

5. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the linking step links at least one of the following information about the multiple piles: volume, weight, variety, lot number, sampling test results, shipping information, and manufacturing history.

6. A management device for managing information on a plurality of mountains made of granular or powdery material, comprising: a map generation unit that generates a three-dimensional map showing the positions and shapes of the plurality of mountains; a linking unit that links the positions of the plurality of mountains in the three-dimensional map to information on the plurality of mountains; and an output unit that, when a display terminal is pointed at a target mountain among the plurality of mountains, outputs the information on the target mountain so that it can be displayed on the display terminal together with an image of the target mountain.

Images