Server, program, server control method, and tool system

Abstract

Provided is a server that is able to transmit, to a terminal device, a method for resolving an error occurring in a tool. A server (101) comprises: a first reception unit (111) to which a rebar tying machine and a terminal device associated with the rebar tying machine are communicably connected, and which receives error information from the rebar tying machine (1); an identification unit (113) that identifies an error resolution method corresponding to the error information received by the first reception unit (111); and a first transmission unit (114) that transmits the resolution method identified by the identification unit (113) to the terminal device.

Description

Server, program, server control method, and tool system

[0008] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a server, a program, a server control method, and a tool system that can identify and transmit a method for resolving an error that occurs in a tool.

[0002] Reinforcing bars are used in concrete structures to improve their strength, and are tied with wires so that the reinforcing bars do not shift from their predetermined positions during concrete placement.

[0003] Conventionally, a tool called a reinforcing bar tying machine has been proposed, which winds a wire around two or more reinforcing bars and twists the wire wound around the reinforcing bars to tie the two or more reinforcing bars with the wire.

[0004] The reinforcing bar tying machine twists the wire sent by the driving force of a motor and wound around the reinforcing bar with a tying portion that rotates by the driving force of the motor, thereby tying the reinforcing bar with the wire (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] [[ID=十五]] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-64876

[0006] In a conventional reinforcing bar tying machine, when an error such as poor wire feeding occurs, it is configured to notify the user by a warning sound such as a buzzer, or by the lighting or flashing of a lamp. On the homepage of the manufacturer that manufactures and sells the reinforcing bar tying machine, a method for resolving an error when an error occurs is introduced. The method for resolving an error when an error occurs is also introduced in the instruction manual and the like. However, when an error occurs in the reinforcing bar tying machine, the user needs to search for the method for resolving the error by himself / herself from the manufacturer's homepage or the like. Referring to the method for resolving the error each time an error occurs will hinder the progress of the work.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a server, a program, a server control method, and a tool system that can transmit a method for resolving an error that occurs in a tool to a terminal device.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a server to which at least one tool is connected in a communicative manner, and to which at least one terminal device associated with the tool is connected in a communicative manner, the server comprising: receiving means for receiving error information from the tool; identifying means for identifying a method for resolving the error corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means; and transmitting means for transmitting the resolving method identified by the identifying means to the terminal device.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program that is executed in the control unit of a server to which at least one tool is connected in a communicative manner and at least one terminal device associated with the tool is also connected in a communicative manner, the program causing the control unit to perform the steps of receiving error information from the tool, identifying a method for resolving the error corresponding to the received error information, and transmitting the identified resolving method to the terminal device.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a server control method to which at least one tool is communicatively connected and at least one terminal device associated with the tool is also communicatively connected, the server control method comprising the steps of receiving error information from the tool, identifying a method for resolving the error corresponding to the received error information, and transmitting the identified resolving method to the terminal device.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tool system comprising at least one tool, at least one terminal device associated with the tool, and a server to which the tool is communicatively connected and to which the terminal device is communicatively connected, wherein the server comprises receiving means for receiving error information from the tool, identifying means for identifying a method for resolving an error corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means, and transmitting means for transmitting the resolving method identified by the identifying means to the terminal device.

[0012] In this invention, when an error occurs in a tool, the server identifies a method to resolve the error, and this method is transmitted to a terminal device linked to the tool, allowing the terminal device to output the error resolution method. This enables the tool user to view the terminal device at the worksite and perform the necessary operations to resolve the error. In this case, the tool user does not need to search for the error resolution method on the manufacturer's website or elsewhere, and can obtain the appropriate solution.

[0013] This is a block diagram showing an example of the tool system of this embodiment. This is a block diagram showing an example of the server of this embodiment. This is a block diagram showing an example of the terminal device of this embodiment. This is a block diagram showing an example of the rebar tying machine of this embodiment. This is a side view of the internal configuration of an example of the rebar tying machine of this embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a condition table database. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a condition table database. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the output of an error resolution method. This is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment. This is yet another example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment.

[0014] The following describes, with reference to the drawings, the tool system of the present invention, the server and terminal device constituting the tool system, and an example of a rebar tying machine as an embodiment of the tool.

[0015] <Example of the configuration of the tool system of this embodiment> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the tool system of this embodiment. The tool system 100 of this embodiment comprises at least one rebar tying machine 1 as a tool, a server 101, and at least one terminal device 201.

[0016] The tool system 1 is configured such that the server 101 and at least one rebar tying machine 1 are connected via a wireless communication line 300. Furthermore, the tool system 1 is configured such that the server 101 and at least one terminal device 201 are connected via a wireless communication line 300.

[0017] <Example of Server Configuration in This Embodiment> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a server in this embodiment. The server 101 comprises a first control unit 110 and a first storage unit 120. The first control unit 110 is an example of a control unit and comprises a first receiving unit 111, a storage processing unit 112, a specification unit 113, a first transmission unit 114, and a linking unit 115.

[0018] The first receiving unit 111 is an example of a receiving means, and when an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, it receives error information transmitted from the rebar tying machine 1. The first receiving unit 111 also receives identification information that identifies the rebar tying machine 1, such as the serial number of the rebar tying machine 1. The first receiving unit 111 also receives request information from the terminal device 201 requesting the output of a method for resolving the error that occurred in the rebar tying machine 1. Furthermore, the first receiving unit 111 receives identification information of the terminal device 201, such as login information including the password for logging into the server 101, the serial number of the terminal device 201, and user information that identifies the user using the terminal device 201.

[0019] The memory processing unit 112 stores the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, and the time information of the error in the first storage unit 120.

[0020] The identification unit 113 is an example of an identification means that identifies an error resolution method corresponding to the model identified by the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 and the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1. The resolution method is error resolution information that indicates the operation to resolve the error, and may be an image, voice, or text output by the terminal device 201. The resolution method may also be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) associated with the error resolution information. Furthermore, the resolution method may be an email containing a URL associated with the error resolution information. In addition, the identification unit 113 may identify an error resolution method based on the history of error information stored in the first storage unit 120.

[0021] The first transmitting unit 114 is an example of a transmission means that transmits error resolution methods to a terminal device 201 that is pre-linked to the rebar tying machine 1 identified by identification information. When an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, if it is registered that the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 should receive error resolution methods, the first receiving unit 111 receives error information from the rebar tying machine 1, and when the identification unit 113 identifies a resolution method corresponding to the error information, it transmits the resolution method to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information.

[0022] Furthermore, when the first receiving unit 111 receives request information from the terminal device 201 requesting the output of a method for resolving an error that occurred in the rebar tying machine 1, the first transmitting unit 114 transmits the resolution method identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 associated with the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information. In addition, when the terminal device 201 logs into the server 101 using identification information such as login information, the first transmitting unit 114 may transmit screen information to the logged-in terminal device 201 that displays a website on which information related to the rebar tying machine 1 identified by the identification information can be obtained, and the terminal device 201 may use this screen to send request information requesting the output of a method for resolving an error that occurred in the rebar tying machine 1 from the terminal device 201.

[0023] The linking unit 115 stores the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1 in the tool information database 124 and the identification information of the terminal device 201 in the user information database 125. This links the rebar tying machine 1 and the server 101. It also links the terminal device 201 and the server 101. For example, when the terminal device 201 logs into the server 101 using identification information such as login information, the terminal device 201 and the server 101 are linked. Furthermore, the linking unit 115 may store the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the identification information of the terminal device 201 in association. This links the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201. The identification information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the identification information of the terminal device 201 may be stored in a one-to-one correspondence. Furthermore, considering the case where one user uses multiple rebar tying machines 1, the identification information of each of the multiple rebar tying machines 1 may be associated with the identification information of one terminal device 201 and stored accordingly. In addition, in order to enable one rebar tying machine 1 to be managed by both the user and the administrator, the identification information of one rebar tying machine 1 may be associated with the identification information of each of the multiple terminal devices 201 and stored accordingly. Furthermore, in order to enable multiple rebar tying machines 1 to be managed by both the user and the administrator, the identification information of each of the multiple rebar tying machines 1 may be associated with the identification information of each of the multiple terminal devices 201 and stored accordingly.

[0024] The first storage unit 120 is an example of a storage means and stores a history database (DB) 121, a condition table database (DB) 122, a guidance display database (DB) 123, a tool information database (DB) 124, a user information database (DB) 125, location information 126, time information 127, and a first program 128. The storage device that provides the functions of the first storage unit 120 includes ROM and RAM as main memory and an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD. The functions of the first storage unit 120 may be provided as a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium, or by a portable recording medium such as an optical disc, a storage device with a USB terminal, or a card-type storage device.

[0025] The history database 121 stores error information received from the rebar tying machine 1, etc., via the storage processing unit 112. The history database 121 stores error information for a predetermined period, and the history of error information is accumulated.

[0026] The condition table database 122 stores conditions that the identification unit 113 uses to identify how to resolve errors based on error information.

[0027] The guidance display database 123 stores error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 and information identifying how to resolve the error corresponding to the model identified by the rebar tying machine's identification information.

[0028] The tool information database 124 stores identification information for the rebar tying machine 1. The tool information database 124 also stores information that identifies the model based on the identification information.

[0029] The user information database 125 stores identification information for the terminal device 201. The user information database 125 also stores user information that identifies the user of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201.

[0030] Location information 126 stores location information received from the rebar tying machine 1. Location information 126 may also be associated with error information stored in the history database 121. In addition, location information 126 stores location information received from the terminal device 201.

[0031] The time information 127 stores time information for various operations received from the rebar tying machine 1, such as the time when an error occurred in the rebar tying machine 1.

[0032] <Example of the function of the program executed on the server> The first control unit 110 executes the first program 128 stored in the first storage unit 120 to realize the functions of the first receiving unit 111, the storage processing unit 112, the identification unit 113, and the first transmitting unit 114 described above.

[0033] The first program 128 realizes the first receiving unit 111 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to receive error information and the serial number of the rebar tying machine 1 from the rebar tying machine 1. Furthermore, the first program 128 realizes the first receiving unit 111 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to receive request information from the terminal device 201 requesting the output of a method for resolving the error that occurred in the rebar tying machine 1.

[0034] Furthermore, the first program 128 implements a storage processing unit 112 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to store the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, the time information of the error, etc., in the history database 121 of the first storage unit 120.

[0035] Furthermore, the first program 128 implements the identification unit 113 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process that identifies a method for resolving an error corresponding to the model identified by the error information and identification information received from the rebar tying machine 1, by referring to the condition table database 122, the guidance display database 123, the tool information database 124, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the first program 128 realizes the first transmission unit 114 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to transmit the resolution method to the terminal device 201 to which the rebar tying machine 1 identified by the identification information is pre-linked, by referring to the tool information database 124, the user information database 125, etc.

[0037] The first program 128, when an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, and if it is registered that the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 should receive a method to resolve the error, will have the first receiving unit 111 receive error information from the rebar tying machine 1, and when the identification unit 113 identifies a method to resolve the error information, the first control unit 110 will execute a process to send the method to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information.

[0038] Furthermore, when the first receiving unit 111 receives request information from the terminal device 201 requesting the output of a method for resolving an error that occurred in the rebar tying machine 1, the first control unit 110 executes a process to transmit the resolution method identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 associated with the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information.

[0039] <Specific Examples of the First Control Unit> The first control unit 110 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. Some or all of the first receiving unit 111, the storage processing unit 112, the identification unit 113, and the first transmitting unit 114 of the first control unit 110 may be implemented by program processing by the CPU. In addition, some or all of the above functions of the first control unit 110 may be implemented by processing by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) instead of, or together with, the CPU. Furthermore, some or all of the above functions may be implemented by processing by a dedicated hardware circuit instead of, or together with, software processing.

[0040] <Example of the configuration of the terminal device in this embodiment> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the terminal device in this embodiment. The terminal device 201 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet that a user will have at the work site. The terminal device 201 includes a second control unit 210, a second storage unit 220, an output unit 230, an input unit 240, and a location information acquisition unit 250. The storage device that provides the function of the second storage unit 220 includes ROM and RAM as main memory and an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD. The function of the second storage unit 220 may be provided as a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium, or it may be provided by a portable recording medium such as an optical disc, a storage device with a USB terminal, or a card-type storage device.

[0041] The second control unit 210 includes a second receiving unit 211, an output control unit 212, and a second transmitting unit 213. The second storage unit 220 stores the second program 221.

[0042] The second receiving unit 211 receives the error resolution method from the server 101. The output control unit 212 outputs the error resolution method by the output unit 230. The second transmitting unit 213 transmits request information for requesting the output of the error resolution method. Also, the second transmitting unit 213 transmits completion information indicating that an operation for resolving an error has been performed on the steel bar bundling machine 1.

[0043] The output unit 230 includes a display output unit 231 and an audio output unit 232. The display output unit 231 is composed of a display or the like. The display output unit 231 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Also, instead of the liquid crystal display, the display output unit 231 may be an organic EL display (Organic Light Emitting Diode display), a plasma display, or the like.

[0044] The output control unit 212 outputs the error resolution method by the display output unit 231 as image information. The image information is, for example, a still image. The image information may be a moving image or a still image that switches according to the passage of time. Also, in accordance with the still image information, a URL for guiding the display of the moving image may be displayed together.

[0045] Also, the output control unit 212 may output the error resolution method by the audio output unit 232 as audio information. Furthermore, the output control unit 212 may output the resolution method by the display output unit 231 as image information and, at the same time, output it by the audio output unit 232 as audio information.

[0046] The input unit 240 is, for example, a touch panel provided in the display / output unit 231. A URL for displaying a solution method may be input by a user operation such as touching the display location of the URL. Further, the input unit 240 may provide an error resolution operation completion button by means of display by the display / output unit 231 or the like, and when an operation indicating that an error has been resolved by the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 is input by a user operation, the output control unit 212 may stop outputting the error resolution method. Furthermore, the input unit 240 may provide a history display button by means of display by the display / output unit 231 or the like, and the history of error information resolved in the past and its resolution method may be output by display or the like by a user operation.

[0047] In addition, the output control unit 212 may display identification information such as the serial number of the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 that received the error information in accordance with the resolution method. This is to enable the user to recognize which reinforcing bar tying machine 1 the error occurred in when the user is using a plurality of reinforcing bar tying machines 1. Also, the output control unit 212 may display the date and time of occurrence of the error in accordance with the resolution method. This is to enable the user to recognize which error resolution method was used for an error that occurred at what time.

[0048] <Function example of the program executed by the terminal device> The second control unit 210 realizes the functions of the above-described second receiving unit 211, output control unit 212, and second transmitting unit 213 by executing the second program 221 stored in the second storage unit 220.

[0049] The second program 221 realizes the second receiving unit 211 by causing the second control unit 210 to execute a process of receiving an error resolution method from the server 101.

[0050] Also, the second program 221 realizes the output control unit 212 by causing the second control unit 210 to execute a process of outputting the error resolution method by the output unit 230.

[0051] Furthermore, the second program 221 realizes the second transmission unit 213 by having the second control unit 210 execute a process to send request information requesting the output of a method for resolving the error. In addition, the second program 221 realizes the second transmission unit 213 by having the second control unit 210 execute a process to send completion information indicating that an operation to resolve the error has been performed in the rebar tying machine 1.

[0052] The second program 221 may display a browser. Alternatively, the second program 221 may be a dedicated application that performs a series of processes to output how to resolve an error.

[0053] <Example of the configuration of the rebar tying machine of this embodiment> Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the rebar tying machine of this embodiment, and Figure 5 is an internal configuration diagram viewed from the side, showing an example of the rebar tying machine of this embodiment.

[0054] As an example of a tool, the rebar tying machine 1 is designed to be held and used by a worker, and comprises a main body 10 and a handle 11. The rebar tying machine 1 feeds the wire W in the forward direction indicated by arrow F, wraps it around the rebar S to be tied, feeds the wire W in the reverse direction indicated by arrow R to wrap it around the rebar S, then twists the wire W to tie the rebar S with the wire W. The rebar tying machine 1 ties the rebar S with multiple wires W, in this example, two wires W.

[0055] To achieve the functions described above, the rebar tying machine 1 includes a magazine 2 for storing wire W, a wire feeding unit 3 for feeding wire W, and a wire guide unit 4 for guiding the wire W being fed to the wire feeding unit 3. The rebar tying machine 1 also includes a curl forming unit 5 that forms an annular feeding path for winding the wire W fed by the wire feeding unit 3 around the rebar S, and a cutting unit 6 for cutting the wire W wrapped around the rebar S. Furthermore, the rebar tying machine 1 includes a tying unit 7 for twisting the wire W wrapped around the rebar S, and a drive unit 8 for driving the tying unit 7.

[0056] Magazine 2 is an example of a storage unit, in which a reel 20, on which a long wire W is wound so that it can be dispensed, is stored in a rotatable and detachable manner. The wire W can be made of a metal wire that can be plastically deformed, a metal wire coated with resin, or a stranded wire. In a configuration in which two wires W are used to tie together reinforcing bars S, the reel 20 is wound with two wires W, and the two wires W can be pulled out from the reel 20 simultaneously.

[0057] The wire feeding unit 3 is an example of a feeding unit and includes a pair of feeding gears 30 that grip and feed the wire W. In the wire feeding unit 3, the rotational movement of the feeding motor 31 is transmitted to the feeding gears 30, causing the feeding gears 30 to rotate. In addition, the rotational direction of the feeding gears 30 is switched by switching the forward and reverse direction of rotation of the feeding motor 31, thereby switching the forward and reverse direction of feeding the wire W. In a configuration in which reinforcing bars S are bound together with two wires W, the wire feeding unit 3 feeds the two wires W side by side in the radial direction of the wires W. The wire feeding unit 3 includes an openable and closable window 32 that exposes the parts where the pair of feeding gears 30 face each other. By opening the window 32, the wire W gripped between the pair of feeding gears 30 can be visually inspected, and operations such as adjusting the position of the wire W can be performed.

[0058] The wire guide section 4 is positioned upstream and downstream of the feed gear 30 with respect to the feeding direction of the wire W being fed in the forward direction. In a configuration in which two wires W are used to tie together a reinforcing bar S, the wire guide section 4 guides the two incoming wires W in parallel along the direction in which the pair of feed gears 30 are aligned, between the pair of feed gears 30.

[0059] The curl-forming section 5 includes an arm section 50 that gives the wire W, which is fed by the wire feeding section 3, a curl guide section 51 that guides the wire W, which has been given a curl by the arm section 50, to the binding section 7.

[0060] The cutting unit 6 comprises a fixed blade section 60, a movable blade section 61 that cuts the wire W in cooperation with the fixed blade section 60, and a transmission mechanism 62 that transmits the operation of the binding unit 7 to the movable blade section 61. The cutting unit 6 cuts the wire W by the rotational movement of the movable blade section 61 with the fixed blade section 60 as the pivot axis.

[0061] The binding section 7 includes a wire locking body 70, also called a hook, which locks the wire W, and a sleeve 71 that operates the wire locking body 70. The drive section 8 includes a torsion motor 80 and a reduction gear 81 that performs reduction and torque amplification.

[0062] The rebar tying machine 1 has a handle portion 11 that extends downward from the main body portion 10. Furthermore, a battery 15 is detachably attached to the lower part of the handle portion 11.

[0063] The rebar tying machine 1 has a trigger 12 on the front side of the handle 11.

[0064] Furthermore, the rebar tying machine 1 is equipped with abutment section 14 at the front of the main body 10 against which the rebar S abuts. The abutment section 14 is provided in pairs on the left and right sides between the arm section 50 and the curl guide section 51.

[0065] The rebar tying machine 1 includes a third control unit 90. The third control unit 90 controls the feed motor 31 and the torsion motor 80 according to the state of the trigger switch 13 which is pressed by the operation of the trigger 12. The trigger switch 13 is located, for example, behind the trigger 12.

[0066] The third control unit 90 includes an error detection unit 91, an error information generation unit 92, a time information acquisition unit 93, a third transmission unit 94, a third reception unit 95, and a position information acquisition unit 96. The rebar tying machine 1 also includes a consumables detection sensor 97 and a setting unit 98. The consumables detection sensor 97 detects, for example, the presence or absence of a reel 20, which is a consumable stored in the magazine 2, and whether or not the reel 20 is properly loaded. The setting unit 98 receives an operation to set the tying force, which is also called a torque dial, for example.

[0067] The error detection unit 91 detects errors based on the outputs of the feed motor 31, the torsion motor 80, etc. The error information generation unit 92 generates error information that specifies the content of the error. The time information acquisition unit 93 acquires time information that specifies the time when the error was detected. The time information may include the year, month, and day.

[0068] The third transmission unit 94 transmits error information, identification information that identifies the rebar tying machine 1, such as the serial number of the rebar tying machine 1, and time information of the error to the server 101. The third transmission unit 94 may also transmit the location information of the rebar tying machine 1 at the time the error was detected to the server 101. In addition, if the tying operation is completed successfully, the third transmission unit 94 transmits tying completion information to the server 110 to indicate that the tying is complete.

[0069] The third receiving unit 95 receives information transmitted from the server 101. For example, the third receiving unit 95 receives error information reception completion information from the server 101. After the third transmitting unit 94 transmits the error information, if there is no response signal of reception completion information from the server 101 after the tool has transmitted the information, the third transmitting unit 94 retries transmitting the error information up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times). If the third receiving unit 95 does not receive error information reception completion information from the server 101 even after retries transmitting the error information a predetermined number of times, the error information is stored as untransmitted information in a storage unit (not shown) of the rebar tying machine 1. The error information stored as untransmitted information may be transmitted at the same time as the next error information transmission. Alternatively, the error information stored as untransmitted information may be transmitted at the same time as the tying operation completion information transmission.

[0070] The location information acquisition unit 96 acquires location information of the rebar tying machine 1, for example, by using GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0071] The rebar tying machine 1 can be switched on and off by operating the main switch 16. The main switch 16 is located, for example, below the setting unit 98. The rebar tying machine 1 includes a circuit board 99. The circuit board 99 is located, for example, above the drive unit 8. The third control unit 90 is located on the circuit board 99. All of the functions of the third control unit 90 may be located on the circuit board 99, or some of the functions of the third control unit 90 may be located on the circuit board 99 and the remainder on a circuit board not shown. For example, the third transmitting unit 94, the third receiving unit 95, and the position information acquisition unit 90 may be located on a circuit board not shown, located on the side of the drive unit 8.

[0072] <Example of binding operation of the rebar tying machine of this embodiment> When the rebar S is placed between the arm portion 50 and the curl guide portion 51 and the trigger 12 is operated, the feed motor 31 is driven in the forward rotation direction by the control of the third control unit 90, and the wire W held by the pair of feed gears 30 is fed in the forward direction indicated by the arrow F.

[0073] In a configuration where reinforcing bars S are bound together with two wires W, the wire feeding unit 3 and the wire guide unit 4 feed the two wires W in parallel along the axial direction of the annular feeding path Ru.

[0074] The wire W, which is fed in the forward direction, passes through the wire locking body 70 of the binding section 7 and is fed to the arm section 50. As the wire W passes through the arm section 50, it acquires a coiling tendency to wrap around the reinforcing bar S along the annular feeding path Ru.

[0075] The wire W, which has been coiled in the arm section 50, is further fed in the forward direction by the wire feeding section 3, which guides it to the curl guide section 51, and then to the binding section 7 in the curl guide section 51.

[0076] As the wire W is further fed in the forward direction by the wire feeding unit 3, the wire W passes through the wire locking body 70, and when the tip of the wire W is fed to a predetermined position, the drive of the feed motor 31 is stopped by the control of the third control unit 90.

[0077] After stopping the forward feeding of the wire W, the torsion motor 80 is driven in the forward rotation direction by the control of the third control unit 90. The rotation of the sleeve 71 is restricted in the operating range where the wire W is locked by the wire locking body 70. As a result, the rotation of the torsion motor 80 is converted into linear movement, and the sleeve 71 moves in the forward direction, arrow D1. When the sleeve 71 moves forward, the wire W is locked by a predetermined operation of the wire locking body 70.

[0078] After the sleeve 71 is advanced to the position where the wire W is locked by the wire locking body 70, the rotation of the torsion motor 80 is temporarily stopped by the control of the third control unit 90, and the feed motor 31 is driven in the reverse direction.

[0079] This causes the pair of feed gears 30 to reverse direction, and the wire W, which is held between the pair of feed gears 30, is fed in the opposite direction indicated by arrow R. This reverse feeding motion of the wire W causes it to wrap around the reinforcing bar S.

[0080] The current value of the feed motor 31 detects that the wire W has been wrapped around the reinforcing bar S, and the third control unit 90 stops the feed motor 31 from rotating in the reverse direction. Then, the torsion motor 80 is driven in the forward direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move further forward as indicated by arrow D1. The forward movement of the sleeve 71 is transmitted to the cutting unit 6 by the transmission mechanism 62, causing the movable blade 61 to rotate, and the wire W is cut at a predetermined position by the operation of the fixed blade 60 and the movable blade 61.

[0081] By driving the torsion motor 80 in the forward rotation direction, the sleeve 71 is moved forward as indicated by arrow D1, cutting the two wires W. Almost simultaneously, the wire locking body 70 pushes the wires W forward, bending the tip and end ends of the wires W toward the reinforcing bars S.

[0082] After the tip and end of the wire W are bent toward the reinforcing bar S, the torsion motor 80 is further driven in the forward rotation direction, causing the sleeve 71 to move further forward. When the sleeve 71 moves to a predetermined position, the restriction on the rotation of the sleeve 71 is released.

[0083] As a result, the torsion motor 80 is driven further in the forward rotation direction, causing the sleeve 71 to rotate and initiating the twisting of the wire W locked by the wire locking body 70. When it is detected that the load on the torsion motor 80 has reached its maximum due to the twisting of the wire W, the forward rotation of the torsion motor 80 is stopped by the control of the third control unit 90. Next, when the torsion motor 80 is driven in the reverse rotation direction, the sleeve 71 moves in the direction of arrow D2, which is the rear direction, with its rotation restricted.

[0084] When the sleeve 71 moves backward, the wire locking body 70 releases the wire W from being locked, and the wire W that has tied the reinforcing bar S comes out of the wire locking body 70. Once the wire W that has tied the reinforcing bar S comes out of the wire locking body 70, it becomes possible to remove the arm portion 50 and the curl guide portion 51 from the point where the wire W is tied.

[0085] <Example of a condition table database corresponding to errors detected in a rebar tying machine> The third control unit 90 uses the current value of the feed motor 31, etc., to detect in the error detection unit 91 that the wire W has become jammed in the wire locking body 70, or that there is a problem with the wire W being fed in the wire feeding unit 3. The third control unit 90 also uses the current value of the twisting motor 80, etc., to detect in the error detection unit 91 that there is a malfunction in the wire locking body 70, such as the wire W becoming entangled in the wire locking body 70.

[0086] Furthermore, the third control unit 90 detects from the output of the consumable detection sensor 97 that a loading error has occurred in the reel 20 using the error detection unit 91. Also, the third control unit 90 detects from the output of the setting unit 98 that sets the binding force etc. that a setting error has occurred using the error detection unit 91.

[0087] In addition, the third control unit 90 may use the error detection unit 91 to detect when a malfunction occurs due to the voltage value of the battery 15, the temperature of each part, or the like.

[0088] The condition table database 122 stores conditions for the identification unit 113 to identify how to resolve various errors detected by the error detection unit 91, based on the identified error information.

[0089] Figures 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a condition table database. The condition table database 122a shown in Figure 6 stores a single error information as a condition and a resolution method corresponding to each error information. The error information includes wire jamming in the wire locking body 70 or wire feeding failure in the wire feeding unit 3. The condition table database 122b shown in Figure 7 stores a combination of multiple error information as a condition and a resolution method corresponding to when multiple error information is combined. The combination of multiple error information includes a combination of wire jamming in the wire locking body 70 and wire feeding failure in the wire feeding unit 3.

[0090] <Example of operation of the tool system in this embodiment> First, the rebar tying machine 1 and the server 101 are linked by registering information that identifies the rebar tying machine 1 with the server 101. For example, when a user inputs identification information such as the serial number of the rebar tying machine 1 into the input unit 240 of the terminal device 201, the second transmission unit 213 transmits the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1 to the server 101. The server 101 stores the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1 in the tool information database 124 of the storage unit 120. In addition, the terminal device 201 and the server 101 are linked by registering information that identifies the terminal device 201 and the user with the server 101. For example, when a user inputs identification information of the terminal device 201, such as login information, into the input unit 240, the second transmission unit 213 transmits the identification information of the terminal device 201 to the server 101. The server 101 stores the identification information of the terminal device 201 in the user information database 125 of the storage unit 120. This allows the terminal device 201, which receives the error resolution method, to be linked to a specific rebar tying machine 1. Note that the linking of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 does not have to be done by directly inputting a serial number or the like. For example, the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that are in the same vicinity at the same time can be linked using the location information and time information of both the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201.

[0091] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tool system in this embodiment. When the rebar tying machine 1's error detection unit 91 detects an error and the error information generation unit 92 generates error information, the third transmission unit 94 transmits the error information, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, the time of the error, etc., to the server 101.

[0092] When the first receiving unit 111 of the server 101 receives error information and identification information from the rebar tying machine 1 (step SA1), the identification unit 113 identifies a method for resolving the error corresponding to the model identified by the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 and the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, based on the condition table database 122a shown in Figure 6 (step SA2).

[0093] If the error information in the current instance is error information a, the identification unit 113 identifies resolution method A1 as a method for resolving the error. Similarly, if the error information in the current instance is error information b, the identification unit 113 identifies resolution method B1 as a method for resolving the error. Furthermore, if the error information in the current instance is error information c, the identification unit 113 identifies resolution method C1 as a method for resolving the error.

[0094] When the first receiving unit 111 of the server 101 receives error information and identification information from the rebar tying machine 1, the storage processing unit 112 stores the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, and the time information of the error in the history database 121 of the first storage unit 120.

[0095] When a user performs an operation on the input unit 240 of the terminal device 201 to request the output of a method for resolving an error, the second transmission unit 213 transmits request information requesting the output of a method for resolving the error.

[0096] When the server 101's first receiving unit 111 receives request information from the terminal device 201 requesting the output of an error resolution method, the first transmitting unit 114 transmits the error resolution method identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SA3).

[0097] When the terminal device 201 receives a method for resolving an error in the linked rebar tying machine 1 from the server 101 via the second receiving unit 211, the output control unit 212 outputs the error resolution method, for example, as image information via the display output unit 231.

[0098] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an error resolution method output. The resolution method screen displayed on the display output unit 231 of the terminal device 201 consists of an error cause display unit 231a and an error resolution method display unit 231b, etc. The error cause display unit 231a displays the cause of the error, for example, in text. The error resolution method display unit 231b consists of a text display area 231b1 where the error resolution method is displayed in text and an image display area 231b2 where the error resolution method is displayed as an image. In addition, if a still image is displayed in the image display area 231b2, a URL display area 213b3 may be provided where a URL to guide the user to display a video is displayed.

[0099] Furthermore, if the server 101 is registered to receive a method for resolving the error at the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 when an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, the first transmission unit 114 will transmit the error resolution method identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information.

[0100] In this way, when an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, the server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error, and the identified error resolution method is transmitted to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1. The terminal device 201 outputs the information via display or other means, allowing the user of the rebar tying machine 1 to view the terminal device 201 at the work site and perform the operation to resolve the error. In this case, the user of the rebar tying machine 1 does not need to search for the error resolution method on the manufacturer's website or elsewhere through their own operation, and can obtain the appropriate resolution method.

[0101] Furthermore, if an error is detected in the rebar tying machine 1, an output unit such as a buzzer or lamp (not shown) on the rebar tying machine 1 will notify that an error has occurred. In addition, the error notification from the rebar tying machine 1 may be stopped when the power is turned off or on using the main switch 16.

[0102] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment. When the rebar tying machine 1's error detection unit 91 detects an error and the error information generation unit 92 generates error information, the third transmission unit 94 transmits the error information, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, the time of the error, and other information to the server 101.

[0103] When the first receiving unit 111 of the server 101 receives error information and identification information from the rebar tying machine 1 (step SB1), the storage processing unit 112 stores the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, and the time information of the error in the history database 121 of the first storage unit 120 (step SB2).

[0104] Furthermore, when the first receiving unit 111 of the server 101 receives error information and identification information from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification unit 113 adds the number of times the same error information has been accumulated in the same rebar tying machine 1, based on the history database 121. For example, when error information a is received, 1 is added to the number of times error information a has been accumulated.

[0105] The server 101, based on the condition table database 122b shown in Figure 7, uses the identification unit 113 to identify a method for resolving the error corresponding to the model identified by the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, using the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 and the model identified by the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1.

[0106] If the server 101 determines that the current error information is error information a, and condition a1 is that the number of times error information a has been accumulated is 2 or less, the identification unit 113 identifies error resolution method A1 as a method for resolving the error (step SB3). Then, the server 101 transmits the error resolution method A1 identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information, via the first transmission unit 114 (step SB4).

[0107] Server 101 determines that the current error information is error information a, and that condition a2 is that the number of times error information a has been accumulated is 3 or more and 5 or less. In this case, the identification unit 113 changes the error resolution method A1 to resolution method A2 (step SB5). Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method A2, which was changed by the identification unit 113, to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SB6).

[0108] If the server 101 determines that the current error information is error information a, and condition a3 states that the number of times error information a has been accumulated is between 6 and 8, the identification unit 113 changes the error resolution method A2 to resolution method A3 (step SB7). Then, the server 101 transmits the error resolution method A3, which has been changed by the identification unit 113, to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information, via the first transmission unit 114 (step SB8).

[0109] Server 101 determines that the current error information is error information a, and that condition a4 is met if the number of times error information a has been accumulated is 9 or more, so the identification unit 113 changes the error resolution method A3 to resolution method A4 (step SB9). Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method A4, which was changed by the identification unit 113, to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SB10).

[0110] Furthermore, if the server 101 does not receive a predetermined number of successful tying completion information from the rebar tying machine 1 for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it counts this as an error. In other words, if it does not receive a predetermined number of successful tying completion information for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it determines that the error may not have been resolved. In other words, if it receives a predetermined number of successful tying completion information for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it determines that the error has been resolved.

[0111] When the terminal device 201 receives a method for resolving an error in the linked rebar tying machine 1 from the server 101 via the second receiving unit 211, the output control unit 212 outputs the error resolution method, for example, as image information via the display output unit 231.

[0112] In this way, when an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, the server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error, and the identified error resolution method is transmitted to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1. The terminal device 201 outputs the information via display or other means, allowing the user of the rebar tying machine 1 to view the terminal device 201 at the work site and perform the operation to resolve the error. In this case, the user of the rebar tying machine 1 does not need to search for the error resolution method on the manufacturer's website or elsewhere through their own operation, and can obtain the appropriate resolution method.

[0113] Furthermore, if the same error occurs repeatedly, the same resolution method may not resolve the error. Therefore, the server 101 changes the resolution method according to the number of times the same error occurs consecutively and sends it to the terminal device 201, thereby enabling more reliable error resolution.

[0114] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment. When the rebar tying machine 1's error detection unit 91 detects an error and the error information generation unit 92 generates error information, the third transmission unit 94 transmits the error information, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, the time of the error, etc., to the server 101.

[0115] When the first receiving unit 111 of the server 101 receives error information and identification information from the rebar tying machine 1 (step SC1), the storage processing unit 112 stores the error information received from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, and the time information of the error in the history database 121 of the first storage unit 120.

[0116] Furthermore, when the first receiving unit 111 of the server 101 receives error information and identification information from the rebar tying machine 1, the identification unit 113 adds the number of times the same error information has been accumulated in the same rebar tying machine 1, based on the history database 121. For example, when error information a is received, 1 is added to the number of times error information a has been accumulated (step SC2). Similarly, when error information b is received, 1 is added to the number of times error information b has been accumulated (step SC3), and when error information c is received, 1 is added to the number of times error information c has been accumulated (step SC4).

[0117] The server 101, based on the condition table database 122a shown in Figure 7, uses the identification unit 113 to identify a method for resolving the error corresponding to the model identified by the identification information of the rebar tying machine 1, using the most recent combination of error information received from the rebar tying machine 1.

[0118] Server 101 determines whether the current error information is error information a (step SC1) and whether the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies the first condition (step SC5). If the first condition is met, such as the number of times error information a has been accumulated being 2 or less, the identification unit 113 identifies error resolution method A1 as a method for resolving the error. Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method A1 identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SC6).

[0119] If the current error information is error information a, and the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies any of the second conditions, the server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error corresponding to the second condition. Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method corresponding to the second condition identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SC7).

[0120] Server 101 determines whether the current error information is error information b (step SC1) and whether the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies the first condition (step SC8). If the first condition is met, such as the number of times error information b has been accumulated being 2 or less, the identification unit 113 identifies error resolution method B1 as a method for resolving the error. Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method B1 identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SC9).

[0121] Server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error corresponding to the second condition if the current error information is error information b and the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies any of the second conditions. Then, Server 101 transmits the method to resolve the error corresponding to the second condition identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information, via the first transmission unit 114 (step SC10).

[0122] Server 101 determines whether the current error information is error information c (step SC1) and whether the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies the first condition (step SC11). If the first condition is met, such as the number of times error information c has been accumulated being 2 or less, then the identification unit 113 identifies the error resolution method C1 as a method for resolving the error. Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method C1 identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information (step SC12).

[0123] Server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error corresponding to the second condition if the current error information is error information c and the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies any of the second conditions. Then, Server 101 transmits the method to resolve the error corresponding to the second condition identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information, via the first transmission unit 114 (step SC13).

[0124] For example, if the server 101 finds that the current error information is error information a, and that the combination of the most recent error information received from the rebar tying machine 1 satisfies the second condition that the number of times error information a has been accumulated is between 3 and 5, the identification unit 113 identifies error resolution method A2 as a method for resolving the error. Then, the first transmission unit 114 transmits the error resolution method A2 identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information.

[0125] Furthermore, if the error information in question satisfies any of the third conditions, the server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error corresponding to the third condition. The server 101 then transmits the error resolution method corresponding to the third condition identified by the identification unit 113 to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 that received the error information, via the first transmission unit 114.

[0126] When the terminal device 201 receives a method for resolving an error in the linked rebar tying machine 1 from the server 101 via the second receiving unit 211, the output control unit 212 outputs the error resolution method, for example, as image information via the display output unit 231.

[0127] In this way, when an error occurs in the rebar tying machine 1, the server 101 identifies a method to resolve the error, and the identified error resolution method is transmitted to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1. The terminal device 201 outputs the information via display or other means, allowing the user of the rebar tying machine 1 to view the terminal device 201 at the work site and perform the operation to resolve the error. In this case, the user of the rebar tying machine 1 does not need to search for the error resolution method on the manufacturer's website or elsewhere through their own operation, and can obtain the appropriate resolution method.

[0128] Furthermore, if the most recent combination of error information is a different combination of error information, the resolution method corresponding to the current error information may not resolve the error. Therefore, the server 101 changes the resolution method according to the condition that the combination of error information is a different combination of error information and sends it to the terminal device 201, thereby enabling more reliable error resolution.

[0129] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0130] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-173854 filed on October 2, 2024, and its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0131] 1... Rebar tying machine (tool), 10... Main body, 2... Magazine, 20... Reel, 3... Wire feeding unit (feeding unit), 30... Feed gear, 31... Feed motor, 5... Curl forming unit, 50... Arm unit, 51... Curl guide unit, 6... Cutting unit, 7... Tying unit, 8... Drive unit, 80... Torsion motor, 90... Third control unit, 91... Error detection unit, 92... Error information generation unit, 93... Time information acquisition unit, 94... Third transmission unit, 95... Third reception unit, 96... Position information acquisition unit, 97... Consumable detection sensor, 98... Setting unit, 100... Tool system, 101... Server, 110... First control unit, 111... First reception unit (receiving means), 112... Memory processing unit, 11 3... Identification unit (identification means), 114... First transmission unit (transmission means), 115... Linking unit, 120... First storage unit (storage means), 121... History database, 122... Condition table database, 123... Guidance display database, 124... Tool information database, 125... User information database, 126... Location information, 127... Time information, 128... First program, 201... Terminal device, 210... Second control unit, 211... Second receiving unit, 212... Output control unit, 213... Second transmission unit, 220... Second storage unit, 221... Second program, 230... Output unit, 231... Display output unit, 232... Sound output unit, 240... Input unit, 250... Location information acquisition unit

Claims

1. A server to which at least one tool is connected in a communicative manner, and to which at least one terminal device associated with the tool is connected in a communicative manner, the server comprising: receiving means for receiving error information from the tool; identifying means for identifying a method for resolving an error corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means; and transmitting means for transmitting the resolving method identified by the identifying means to the terminal device.

2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing error information received by the receiving means, wherein the identifying means modifies the method for resolving errors corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means based on a combination of multiple error information stored in the storage means.

3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the identifying means changes the error resolution method corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means to a resolution method corresponding to the condition that the combination of multiple error information stored in the storage means is a consecutive combination of the same error information.

4. The server according to claim 2, wherein the identifying means changes the error resolution method corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means to a resolution method corresponding to the condition that the combination of multiple error information stored in the storage means is a combination of different error information.

5. The server according to claim 2, wherein the tool that transmits the error information received by the receiving means is a rebar tying machine that has a wire feeding section and a wire locking body for locking the wire, and a tying section for twisting the wire locked by the wire locking body, and wraps the wire around a rebar to tie it.

6. The server according to claim 5, wherein the error information includes a wire jam in the wire locking body or a wire feeding failure in the wire feeding section.

7. The server according to claim 5, wherein the combination of error information includes a combination of wire jamming in the wire locking body and a wire feeding failure in the wire feeding section.

8. A program executed in the control unit of a server to which at least one tool is connected in a communicative manner and at least one terminal device associated with the tool is connected in a communicative manner, the program causing the control unit to perform the steps of: receiving error information from the tool; identifying a method for resolving the error corresponding to the received error information; and transmitting the identified resolving method to the terminal device.

9. A control method for a server to which at least one tool is connected in a communicative manner and at least one terminal device associated with the tool is connected in a communicative manner, the method comprising: receiving error information from the tool; identifying a method for resolving the error corresponding to the received error information; and transmitting the identified resolving method to the terminal device.

10. A tool system comprising at least one tool, at least one terminal device associated with the tool, and a server to which the tool is communicatively connected and to which the terminal device is communicatively connected, wherein the server comprises receiving means for receiving error information from the tool, identifying means for identifying a method for resolving an error corresponding to the error information received by the receiving means, and transmitting means for transmitting the resolving method identified by the identifying means to the terminal device.

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