Order placement system and order placement method

Abstract

In the present invention, a placed-order reception unit receives, from an orderer, the input of order placement information for construction-related work. On the basis of a database in which information pertaining to a plurality of operators is stored, a notification unit issues a notification regarding the order placement information to a plurality of candidate operators who meet the conditions indicated by the order placement information from among the plurality of operators. An accepted-order reception unit receives, from one of the plurality of candidate operators, the input of acceptance of the order for work pertaining to the order placement information. A determination unit determines the candidate operator who inputted acceptance of the order as the operator with whom the order for work will be placed.

Description

Ordering system and ordering method

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-050423, filed on March 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a work selection system that allows an operator to select a desired work and a remote control device for performing the work using an information terminal.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-179729

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, jobs ordered by a purchaser are presented to a large number of operators registered in the system. However, jobs have conditions such as required skill levels, and not all operators are able to accept the jobs. Therefore, operators must search for jobs that they can accept from among the ordered jobs, which may result in jobs being overlooked. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ordering system and ordering method that can prevent operators from overlooking jobs.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ordering system includes an order receiving unit that receives input of order information for work related to construction from a client; a notification unit that notifies a plurality of candidate operators among the plurality of operators who meet the conditions indicated by the order information based on a database that stores information related to a plurality of operators; an order receiving unit that receives input of an order for work related to the order information from one of the plurality of candidate operators; and a determination unit that determines the candidate operator related to the input of the order as the operator who will order the work.

[0006] According to the above aspect, the ordering system can prevent the operator from overlooking an item.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an order system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an order management method by the order management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operator's dashboard screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment.

[0008] <First Embodiment> <Configuration of Ordering System> Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ordering system 1 according to a first embodiment. The ordering system 1 includes an orderer terminal 100, an operator terminal 200, an order management device 300, a work machine 400, a remote control station 500, and a controller management device 600. The ordering system 1 is a system for supporting a contract for construction work between an orderer and an operator. The orderer terminal 100, the operator terminal 200, the order management device 300, the work machine 400, the remote control station 500, and the controller management device 600 are connected to each other via a network NW so as to be able to communicate with each other. The network NW may be, for example, the Internet.

[0009] The orderer terminal 100 is a terminal operated by the orderer. The orderer terminal 100 accesses the order management device 300 via the network NW. The orderer accesses the order management device 300 via the orderer terminal 100 and registers order information related to construction work in the order management device 300. The order information includes, for example, the address of the site, the work content, the required skill level, the work machine 400 to be used for the work, the work period, the recruitment deadline, and the remuneration amount. The orderer terminal 100 may be a PC, smartphone, tablet terminal, etc.

[0010] The operator terminal 200 is a terminal operated by an operator who is a contractor. The operator terminal 200 accesses the order management device 300 via the network NW. The operator accesses the order management device 300 via the operator terminal 200 to check order information. In addition, a push notification of the order information is sent from the order management device 300 to the operator terminal 200. The operator can select the work that can be accepted and can register the order information in the order management device 300. The operator terminal 200 may be a PC, smartphone, tablet terminal, etc.

[0011] The order management device 300 determines the operator (candidate operator) to whom the order information is to be notified based on the order information related to the construction work registered by the client. The order management device 300 also determines the operator who transmitted the order information earliest in response to the order information as the operator to whom the work is to be ordered.

[0012] The work machine 400 is a machine used to carry out construction work. Examples of the work machine 400 include a hydraulic excavator, bulldozer, wheel loader, dump truck, motor grader, forklift, etc. For example, the work machine 400 may be a compaction machine or a forestry machine. A portion of the work machine 400 may be remotely operated using a remote controller 510. The work machine 400 is placed at the construction site by the client. The work machine 400 is connected to the network NW via an access point AP installed at the work site. The work machine 400 may also be directly connected to the network NW.

[0013] The remote operation station 500 is a facility where a remote controller 510 is installed. The remote controller 510 is a device for operating the work machine 400 related to remote operation. A plurality of remote controllers 510 may be installed in one remote operation station 500. The remote operation station 500 is installed in various regions. The remote operation station 500 may be installed at a location away from the construction site.

[0014] The controller management device 600 associates the remote controller 510 provided in the remote operation station 500 with the work machine 400. The controller management device 600 also manages the usage schedule of the remote controller 510. The controller management device 600 accesses the remote controller 510 and the work machine 400 via the network NW.

[0015] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the order management device 300 according to the first embodiment. The order management device 300 includes a job database 301, an operator registration unit 302, a skill estimation unit 303, an order receiving unit 304, a facility information acquisition unit 305, a candidate identification unit 306, an order confirmation unit 307, a notification unit 308, an order receiving unit 309, and a determination unit 310.

[0016] The case database 301 has an operator table T31, an order information table T32, and a confirmation table T33.

[0017] The operator table T31 stores information about operators. The operator table T31 stores, in association with each other, an operator ID, authentication information, the operator's name, a contact method, a skill level for each type of work, and a facility ID, which is the ID of an accessible remote operation station 500 (accessible facility). The authentication information is data used to log in to the ordering system 1. An example of the authentication information is a password. The contact method may be, for example, an email address or a telephone number. Skill levels are set for, for example, excavation and loading, flat ground forming, and slope forming. The skill levels may be expressed in five stages, for example, A, B, C, D, and E, from highest to lowest. Furthermore, the skill level stages are not limited to five stages and may be expressed as numbers. When the skill level is expressed as a number, the skill level may be a continuous value. In other words, the method of expressing the skill level is arbitrary.

[0018] The order information table T32 is a table that stores order information from the orderer received from the orderer terminal 100 via the network NW. The order information table T32 stores, in association with each other, the case ID, the address of the work site, the work content, the required skill level, the machine ID which is the ID of the work machine 400 to be used for the work, the work period, the recruitment deadline, and the remuneration amount. The recruitment deadline is the date and time by which the order recipient is selected. If the order is not received by the recruitment deadline, the determination unit 310 determines that the contract has not been concluded.

[0019] The confirmation table T33 is a table for storing information related to work orders whose orders have been confirmed. The confirmation table T33 stores a work order ID, an operator ID, and a controller ID, which is the ID of the remote controller 510, in association with each other.

[0020] The operator registration unit 302 receives operator information from the operator terminal 200 via the network NW and records the received information in the operator table T31 of the project database 301. The skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level of the operator based on the operation history of the remote controller 510 and the operation history of the work machine 400 by the operator, which are stored in the operator table T31, and the results of training conducted separately. The skill estimation unit 303 records the estimated skill level in the operator table T31. The skill estimation unit 303 may also receive input of an operator evaluation from the client and estimate the skill level by taking this evaluation into consideration. For example, the operator evaluation may be based on the performance of the construction work, etc.

[0021] The order receiving unit 304 receives order information from the orderer terminal 100 via the network NW and records the received order information in the order information table T32 of the project database 301. The facility information acquiring unit 305 acquires a list of remote operation stations 500 available for work related to the order information via the network NW from the controller management device 600. The candidate identifying unit 306 identifies, as candidate operators, operators who are able to accept orders for work related to the order information from among the operators stored in the operator table T31.

[0022] The order confirmation unit 307 displays information about the multiple candidate operators identified by the candidate identification unit 306 on the orderer terminal 100 via the network NW and presents it to the orderer. The order confirmation unit 307 receives input from the orderer who has confirmed the presented information as to whether or not it is OK to proceed with placing an order based on the received order information. The information about the multiple candidate operators may be a list of candidate operators or the number of identified candidate operators.

[0023] The notification unit 308 notifies the operator of information related to the order of the work. When new order information is registered in the order information table T32, the notification unit 308 pushes the order information to the operator terminal 200 of the operator who is able to accept the work related to the order information.

[0024] The order receiving unit 309 receives order information from the operator terminal 200 via the network NW. The determination unit 310 determines an operator to whom to place an order for work related to the order information based on the order information. Specifically, the determination unit 310 determines the operator related to the order information that was sent earliest in response to the order information as the contractor. The determination unit 310 records the determined information in the determination table T33.

[0025] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller management device 600 according to the first embodiment. The controller management device 600 includes a controller database 601, a schedule management unit 602, and a collaboration unit 603.

[0026] The controller database 601 stores information related to the remote controllers 510. The controller database 601 has a master table T61 and a schedule table T62. The master table T61 stores the controller ID of the remote controller 510, the facility ID of the remote operation station 500 in which the remote controller 510 is installed, and version information of the remote controller 510, in association with each other. The schedule table T62 stores the usage schedule of each remote controller 510. In other words, the schedule table T62 stores the controller ID of the remote controller 510, the machine ID of the work machine 400 to be operated by the remote controller 510, and the period of connection to the work machine 400, in association with each other.

[0027] In response to a request from the order management device 300, the schedule management unit 602 outputs information about the remote controllers 510 available for work to the order management device 300 via the network NW. In addition, the schedule management unit 602 updates the usage schedule of the remote controllers 510 based on a request from the order management device 300.

[0028] The linking unit 603 links the remote controller 510 and the work machine 400 based on the schedule table T62. While the work machine 400 is working, the remote controller 510 and the work machine 400 may communicate via the linking unit 603, or after the linking process by the linking unit 603, the remote controller 510 and the work machine 400 may communicate directly.

[0029] <<Operator Registration Process>> The operator accesses the order management device 300 using the operator terminal 200. The operator registration unit 302 of the order management device 300 displays an operator registration screen on the operator terminal 200. The operator registration screen includes an input form for the operator ID, authentication information, the operator's name, contact information, and accessible remote control stations 500. The input form for the accessible remote control stations 500 is displayed as a list of multiple remote control stations 500, and the operator selects accessible remote control stations 500 from the list. The operator can select multiple accessible remote control stations 500. The operator can also prioritize the accessible remote control stations 500. For example, the operator registration unit 302 may determine the priority based on the selection order of the accessible remote control stations 500, or may accept input of the priority or priority of the remote control stations 500. The operator registration unit 302 records the input operator information in the operator table T31. The operator registration unit 302 may set the initial value of the operator's skill level to the value self-reported by the operator. The operator registration unit 302 may also record E rank as the initial value of the operator's skill level. Thereafter, the operator can log in to the order management device 300 using the registered operator ID and authentication information.

[0030] <<Skill Level Update>> The skill level of the operator is updated by operating the work machine 400 using the remote control station 500. Specifically, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level of the operator based on log data collected from the remote control station 500 and the work machine 400.

[0031] For example, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level for slope forming and flat ground forming based on the accuracy of forming relative to the design surface. The terrain after forming is identified, for example, from aerial photography data taken by a drone or the movement trajectory of the work machine 400. Specifically, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level for slope forming to Class A when the average accuracy of terrain forming relative to the design surface of the slope is less than ±10 mm. Furthermore, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level for slope forming to Class E when the average accuracy of terrain forming relative to the design surface of the slope is greater than ±50 mm. When the average accuracy is between ±10 mm and ±50 mm, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level based on a threshold value obtained by proportionally dividing the range between the A class threshold and the E class threshold. Similarly, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level for flat ground forming based on the average accuracy relative to the design surface of flat ground.

[0032] For example, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level for excavation and loading based on the cycle time for excavation and loading. Specifically, if the average cycle time for excavation and loading exceeds 30 seconds, the skill estimation unit 303 determines the skill level for excavation and loading to be Class E. If the average cycle time for excavation and loading is less than 15 seconds, the skill estimation unit 303 determines the skill level for excavation and loading to be Class A. If the average cycle time is between 15 and 30 seconds, the skill estimation unit 303 estimates the skill level based on a threshold obtained by proportionally dividing the range between the threshold for Class A and the threshold for Class E. The skill estimation unit 303 may also change the skill level based on the number of loading operations from the start to the completion of loading into a dump truck. For example, the skill estimation unit 303 increases the skill level for excavation and loading by one level if the number of loading operations is five or less, and decreases the skill level for excavation and loading by one level if the number of loading operations is seven or more. It is preferable that the skill estimation unit 303 determines the difference between excavation and loading and incidental work such as earth piling from the movement of the work machine, and calculates the cycle time for excavation and loading. For example, excavation and loading involves a cycle in which the bucket moves forward near the ground (digging), then swings away from the ground (hoist swing), moves toward the back (earth discharge), and then swings back toward the ground (down swing). When the work machine is performing incidental work, the bucket moves near the ground.

[0033] The skill estimation unit 303 may also estimate the skill level based on the relationship between the desired delivery date and the work duration. For example, the skill estimation unit 303 may increase the skill level by one level if the work duration is shorter than the desired delivery date by at least a threshold, and decrease the skill level by one level if the work duration is longer than the desired delivery date by at least a threshold. The skill estimation unit 303 may also multiply the desired delivery date or work duration by a coefficient in consideration of the influence of weather. For example, if the weather during the work is rainy, the skill estimation unit 303 may estimate the skill level by multiplying the desired delivery date by a coefficient greater than 1 or the work duration by a coefficient less than 1. For example, if the desired delivery date is 10 days, the actual work duration is 12 days, and the weather is rainy, it is possible that the work duration was extended due to the rain, regardless of the work skill. In such a case, the skill estimation unit 303 may multiply the work duration by a coefficient less than 1 (e.g., 0.8) to determine the work duration corrected for the influence of weather as 9.6 days. As a result, the skill estimation unit 303 can estimate the skill level taking into account the influence of weather by comparing the desired delivery date of 10 days with the corrected work period of 9.6 days.

[0034] The skill estimation unit 303 may estimate the skill level using a simulator or the like before the operator performs the work ordered through the ordering system 1. The skill estimation unit 303 preferably estimates the skill level using a moving average or the like of the operator's most recent multiple work operations. In other words, the skill level is determined not only based on the quality of the most recent work performed, but also based on the content of past work. The skill estimation unit 303 also estimates the skill level by weighting the quality of the most recent work more heavily than the quality of past work.

[0035] The skill estimation unit 303 records the estimated skill level in the operator table T31 in association with the ID of the operator.

[0036] <<Ordering Method>> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an order management method by the order management device 300 according to the first embodiment. First, the purchaser accesses the order management device 300 using the orderer terminal 100. The order reception unit 304 of the order management device 300 causes the orderer terminal 100 to display an input screen for order information. The input screen is provided with an input form for inputting the address of the site, the work content (type of work), the required skill level, the work machine 400 to be used for the work, the work period, and the remuneration amount. The work period is represented by a start date and time and an end date and time. The work machine 400 is selected from a plurality of work machines 400 registered in advance.

[0037] The orderer inputs order information according to the input screen. The orderer terminal 100 transmits the order information to the order management device 300 (step S1). Next, the facility information acquisition unit 305 transmits a request to the controller management device 600 to send a list of available remote control stations 500 based on the order information received in step S1 (step S2). Specifically, the facility information acquisition unit 305 identifies the model of the work machine 400 to be used for the work based on the machine ID included in the order information, and identifies the version of the remote controller 510 that can operate that model. The facility information acquisition unit 305 transmits a request to the controller management device 600 to send a list of available remote control stations 500, including the identified version and the work period related to the order information.

[0038] The schedule management unit 602 of the controller management device 600 identifies the relevant remote operation station 500 from the controller database 601 based on the transmission request. Specifically, the schedule management unit 602 identifies all controller IDs associated with version information indicating the same version as or a compatible version of the remote controller 510 included in the transmission request. The schedule management unit 602 reads schedule data related to the identified controller ID from the schedule table T62. In the read schedule data, the schedule management unit 602 identifies all (available) remote controllers 510 for which no reservations overlap with the work period included in the transmission request. The schedule management unit 602 identifies all remote operation stations 500 equipped with the identified remote controllers 510. The schedule management unit 602 transmits a list of the identified remote operation stations 500 to the order management device 300 (step S3).

[0039] When the facility information acquisition unit 305 of the order management device 300 acquires the list of available remote operation stations 500, the candidate identification unit 306 identifies operators (candidate operators) who can place an order for the work related to the order information from among the operators stored in the operator table T31 (step S4). Specifically, the candidate identification unit 306 identifies, from the operator table T31, operators whose skill level is equal to or higher than the required skill level related to the order information and who are registered as remote operation stations 500 accessible by at least one of the remote operation stations 500 included in the list received in step S3 as candidate operators. Note that, in order to assign the work machines 400 related to the remote operation, the order management device 300 according to the above-described embodiment identifies, as candidate operators, operators who are registered as remote operation stations 500 accessible by at least one of the remote operation stations 500. On the other hand, if the work machine 400 related to the order information is operated by an operator on board, the order management device 300 may identify candidate operators based on the address, etc. of the operator and the locational relationship between the operator and the work site.

[0040] The order confirmation unit 307 presents information about the multiple candidate operators identified in step S4, and transmits display data of a confirmation screen to the orderer terminal 100 to confirm whether or not to proceed with the order based on the order information received in step S1 (step S5). The orderer checks the confirmation screen displayed on the orderer terminal 100 and inputs confirmation information indicating whether or not to proceed with the order. The orderer terminal 100 transmits the confirmation information input by the orderer to the order management device 300 via the network NW. The order confirmation unit 307 determines whether or not the value of the confirmation information indicates that the order should proceed (step S6).

[0041] If the value of the received order information indicates that the order should not be placed (step S6: NO), the order management device 300 returns the process to step S1 and again accepts order information from the orderer terminal 100. On the other hand, if the value of the received order information indicates that the order should be placed (step S6: YES), the order confirmation unit 307 assigns an order ID to the order information received in step S1 and records it in the order information table T32 (step S7).

[0042] Next, the notification unit 308 notifies each of the candidate operators identified in step S4 of the order information received in step S1 (step S8). The notification unit 308 issues the notification using, for example, a contact method stored in the operator table T31. For example, the contact method may be the ID of the operator terminal 200 for push notification.

[0043] When the operator terminal 200 receives the notification of the order information transmitted in step S8, it displays the received order information on its display. The notification of the order information displays details of the order information (job ID, site address, work content, required skill level, machine ID, work period, and recruitment deadline), the remote control station 500 to be used, and an "Accept Order" button. The remote control station 500 to be used is displayed as the one with the highest priority among the available remote control stations 500. If the operator does not wish to accept the order for the work related to the order information, he / she closes the notification of the order information without pressing the "Accept Order" button. On the other hand, if he / she wishes to accept the order for the work, he / she presses the "Accept Order" button. As a result, the operator terminal 200 transmits order information including the job ID, operator ID, and facility ID of the remote control station 500 to the order management device 300.

[0044] After notifying the order information in step S8, the order receiving unit 309 waits to receive order information until the deadline for soliciting orders related to the order information (step S9). If the order information is received by the deadline (step S9: YES), the determination unit 310 determines the operator related to the order information as the supplier when receiving the order information (step S10). Note that even if the determination unit 310 receives order information after determining the supplier, it will not determine the operator related to the later received order information as the supplier.

[0045] On the other hand, if the order information is not received by the deadline (step S9: NO), the decision unit 310 determines that the contract related to the order information has not been concluded. The notification unit 308 notifies the purchaser terminal 100 that the contract related to the order information has not been concluded (step S11).

[0046] When the determination unit 310 determines a contractor in step S10, the determination unit 310 registers order information related to the operator determined as the contractor in the confirmation table T33 (step S12). The determination unit 310 transmits a reservation request for the remote controller 510 to the controller management device 600 (step S13). Specifically, the determination unit 310 associates the remote controller 510 of the remote operation station 500 related to the order information registered in step S13 with the remote controller 510 and requests a reservation for cooperation with the work machine 400 related to the order information during the work period related to the order information. The schedule management unit 602 of the controller management device 600 updates the schedule for the remote controller 510 recorded in the schedule table T62 in accordance with the received reservation request. The notification unit 308 notifies the operator terminal 200 of the contractor's operator and the orderer terminal 100 of the orderer that a contract related to the order information has been established (step S14). The notice of the establishment of the contract includes the work period (start date and time and end date and time), the address of the remote operation station 500, and an ID for identifying the remote controller 510. The operator can start work by logging in with the remote controller 510 specified at the start date and time stated in the notice.

[0047] When the operator terminal 200 logs in to the order management device 300, the order receiving unit 304 of the order management device 300 displays a dashboard screen D1 on the operator terminal 200, separate from the above-described flowchart. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operator's dashboard screen D1 according to the first embodiment. The dashboard screen D1 displays a list of order information that the logged-in operator can accept. The list of order information displays the orderer, work content, work time, address of the remote operation station 500, remuneration amount, and an "Accept Order" button. The order information included in the list of order information is order information recorded in the case table that satisfies the required skill level, includes an available remote operation station 500 that is included in the remote operation stations 500 accessible to the operator, and is not registered in the confirmation table T33. The dashboard screen D1 may also display accepted order information. The accepted order information includes the work period (start date and end date), the address of the remote operation station 500, and an ID for identifying the remote controller 510, as well as a notification that the contract has been established.

[0048] When the order reception button is pressed, the operator terminal 200 transmits order reception information including the case ID related to the order reception button to the order management device 300 .

[0049] The operator who has received the order logs in to the order management device 300 using the remote controller 510 of the remote operation station 500 that is displayed in the notification that the contract has been concluded or on the dashboard screen D1. The order management device 300 references the confirmation table T33 and determines whether the combination of the logged-in operator ID and the remote controller 510 is correct. If the combination is correct, the order management device 300 notifies the controller management device 600 of cooperation permission. The cooperation permission notification includes at least the controller ID of the remote controller 510. Upon receiving the cooperation permission notification, the controller management device 600 references the schedule table T62 of the controller database 601 and identifies the machine ID of the work machine 400 to be operated by the remote controller 510 associated with the controller ID included in the cooperation permission notification, during a period including the current time. The linking unit 603 links the identified remote controller 510 with the work machine 400. On the other hand, if the combination of the logged-in operator ID and the remote controller 510 is incorrect, the order management device 300 notifies the remote controller 510 of an error and does not notify the controller management device 600 of cooperation permission. As a result, cooperation between the remote controller 510 and the work machine 400 is not established, and it is possible to prevent unqualified operators from operating the work machine 400.

[0050] <<Actions and Effects>> In this way, the ordering system 1 according to the first embodiment functions as follows: The order receiving unit 304 receives input of order information for construction work from the client. The notification unit 308 notifies the order information to a plurality of candidate operators among a plurality of operators who meet the conditions indicated by the order information, based on the project database 301. The order receiving unit 309 receives input of an order for the work related to the order information from one of the plurality of candidate operators. The determination unit 310 determines the candidate operator related to the input of the order as the operator who will order the work. Therefore, by notifying the order information to operators who can accept projects, the ordering system 1 presents the operators with order information that they can accept. This eliminates the need for operators to search through a large number of projects for which they can accept the order, and the ordering system 1 can prevent operators from overlooking projects.

[0051] Furthermore, the skill estimation unit 303 of the ordering system 1 estimates the skill level of the operator based on history data related to the operation of the work machine 400 by the operator, and updates the project database 301. This allows the ordering system 1 to appropriately evaluate the skill of the operator based on the operation by the operator at an actual construction site.

[0052] Furthermore, the order confirmation unit 307 of the ordering system 1 presents the orderer with a plurality of candidate operators who meet the conditions indicated by the ordering information, and then accepts input from the orderer as to whether or not to place an order based on the ordering information. This allows the orderer to review the conditions related to the ordering information before placing an order, for example, if there are few operators who meet the conditions of the input ordering information.

[0053] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design modifications are possible. That is, in other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, some processes may be executed in parallel.

[0054] The order management device 300 according to the above-described embodiment may be configured by a single computer, or the configuration of the order management device 300 may be distributed across multiple computers, and the multiple computers may cooperate with each other to function as the order management device 300. In another embodiment, the order management device 300 and the controller management device 600 may be implemented on the same computer.

[0055] <Computer Configuration> FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment. The computer 900 includes a processor 910, a main memory 930, a storage 950, and an interface 970. The order management device 300 and the controller management device 600 described above are each implemented in the computer 900. The operations of the above-described processing units are stored in the storage 950 in the form of a program. The processor 910 reads the program from the storage 950, loads it into the main memory 930, and executes the above-described processing in accordance with the program. The processor 910 also allocates storage areas in the main memory 930 corresponding to the above-described storage units in accordance with the program. Examples of the processor 910 include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), and a microprocessor.

[0056] The program may be for implementing some of the functions to be performed by the computer 900. For example, the program may be implemented in combination with other programs already stored in storage or in combination with other programs implemented in other devices. In another embodiment, the computer 900 may include a custom large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) such as a programmable logic device (PLD) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include programmable array logic (PAL), generic array logic (GAL), complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and field programmable gate array (FPGA). In this case, some or all of the functions implemented by the processor 910 may be implemented by the integrated circuit. Such an integrated circuit is also an example of a processor. In another embodiment, the computer 900 may be virtualized on one or more computers.

[0057] Examples of storage 950 include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a semiconductor memory. Storage 950 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of computer 900, or an external medium connected to computer 900 via interface 970 or a communication line. Furthermore, when this program is distributed to computer 900 via a communication line, computer 900 that receives the program may load the program into main memory 930 and execute the above-described processing. In at least one embodiment, storage 950 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0058] The program may also be a program for realizing some of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the above-described functions in combination with another program already stored in storage 950.

[0059] According to the above aspect, the ordering system can prevent the operator from overlooking an item.

[0060] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Ordering system 100...Orderer terminal 200...Operator terminal 300...Order management device 301...Project database 302...Operator registration unit 303...Skill estimation unit 304...Order reception unit 305...Facility information acquisition unit 306...Candidate identification unit 307...Order confirmation unit 308...Notification unit 309...Order reception unit 310...Decision unit 400...Work machine 500...Remote operation station 510...Remote controller 600...Controller management device 601...Controller database 602...Schedule management unit 603...Collaboration unit 900...Computer 910...Processor 930...Main memory 950...Storage 970...Interface

Claims

1. An ordering system comprising: an order receiving unit that receives input of order information for work related to construction from a client; a notification unit that notifies a plurality of candidate operators of a plurality of work machines who meet the conditions indicated by the order information based on a database that stores information related to the plurality of operators of the plurality of operators; an order receiving unit that receives input of an order for work related to the order information from one of the plurality of candidate operators; and a determination unit that determines the candidate operator related to the input of the order as the operator who will order the work.

2. The ordering system of claim 1, wherein the order information includes information on the skill level required of the operator, and the notification unit notifies the order information to the plurality of candidate operators among the plurality of operators whose skill level is equal to or higher than the skill level related to the order information.

3. The ordering system according to claim 2, wherein the database stores the skill levels of the plurality of operators, and includes a skill estimation unit that estimates the skill levels of the operators based on historical data relating to the operation of the work machine by the operators, and updates the database.

4. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein when the order receiving unit receives order inputs from two or more candidate operators, the determination unit determines the candidate operator who inputs the order earliest as the operator to order the work.

5. The ordering system described in claim 1, wherein the database stores information on accessible facilities that the operator can access from among a plurality of facilities equipped with remote control devices, and the notification unit notifies the ordering information to a plurality of candidate operators among the plurality of operators who have accessible facilities that are available when the work machine related to the ordering information is a work machine related to remote operation.

6. An ordering system as described in claim 5, wherein the ordering information includes information indicating the type of work machine, and the available accessible facilities are facilities that are compatible with the operation of the type of work machine indicated by the ordering information and that are equipped with unreserved remote control devices.

7. An ordering system as described in claim 1, further comprising an order confirmation unit that presents to the purchaser the plurality of candidate operators that satisfy the conditions indicated by the ordering information, and then receives input from the purchaser as to whether or not to place an order based on the ordering information, and when input indicating that the order will be placed is received, the notification unit notifies the plurality of candidate operators of the ordering information.

8. An ordering method comprising the steps of: a computer receiving input of order information for work related to construction from a client; a computer notifying a plurality of candidate operators among the plurality of operators who meet the conditions indicated by the order information based on a database storing information related to a plurality of operators; a computer receiving input of an order for work related to the order information from one of the plurality of candidate operators; and a computer determining the candidate operator related to the input of the order as the operator who will order the work.

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