Information processing device, program, control method for information processing device, and tool system

Abstract

A server (101) comprises a position information acquisition unit (112) that acquires tool position information for rebar tiers and terminal position information for terminal devices, a position information database (124) that collects the position information, a time information acquisition unit (113) that acquires time information about the times at which the position information was acquired, a time information database (125) that collects the time information, a synchronization determination unit (115) that determines synchronized rebar tiers and terminal devices from the collected position information and time information, and an association unit (116) that associates the synchronized rebar tiers and terminal devices.

Description

Information Processing Apparatus, Program, Control Method of Information Processing Apparatus, and Tool System

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, a control method of the information processing apparatus, and a tool system that enable a tool to be associated with a terminal device.

[0002] In order to manage tools used at a construction site, a technique for acquiring the position information of tools using GPS (Global Positioning System) is known. For example, in order to enable searching for lost tools, a technique has been proposed in which the position information of tools acquired using GPS is compared with the position information of a terminal device, and a nearby terminal device can be notified (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, for the assignment of service personnel, a technique has been proposed in which the position information of various devices acquired using GPS is compared with the position information of a terminal device held by a service personnel, and a nearby terminal device can be notified (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0004] Thus, a technique for acquiring the position information of tools and terminal devices using GPS and pairing (associating) nearby ones has been conventionally known.

[0005] International Publication No. 2020 / 217496 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-83570

[0006] However, when the above-described conventional technology is applied to a work site where a plurality of tools and terminal devices gather, there is a possibility of unintended association.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, a program, a control method of the information processing apparatus, and a tool system that enable appropriate association between a tool and a terminal device.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an information processing device that can communicate with a tool and a terminal device, comprising: a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of a tool and a terminal device; a location information storage means for storing location information; a time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the location information was acquired; a time information storage means for storing time information; a synchronization determination means for determining a synchronized tool and a terminal device from the stored location information and time information; and a linking means for linking a synchronized tool and a terminal device.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an information processing device capable of communicating with a tool and a terminal device, comprising: acceleration information acquisition means for acquiring acceleration information of the tool and the terminal device; time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the acceleration information was acquired; synchronization determination means for determining a synchronized tool and a terminal device from the acceleration information and the time information; and linking means for linking a synchronized tool and a terminal device.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is a program executed by a control means of an information processing device capable of communicating with a tool and a terminal device, which causes the control means to execute the following steps: acquiring location information of the tool and the terminal device; storing the location information; acquiring time information of the acquisition of the location information; storing the time information; determining a synchronized tool and terminal device from the stored location information and time information; and linking the synchronized tool and terminal device.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a control method for an information processing device capable of communicating with a tool and a terminal device, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring location information of a tool and a terminal device; storing the location information; acquiring time information of the acquisition of the location information; storing the time information; determining a synchronized tool and a terminal device from the stored location information and time information; and linking the synchronized tool and terminal device.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tool system comprising a tool, a terminal device, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the tool and the terminal device, wherein the information processing device comprises: a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the tool and the terminal device; a location information storage means for storing the location information; a time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the location information was acquired; a time information storage means for storing the time information; a synchronization determination means for determining synchronized tools and terminal devices from the stored location information and time information; and a linking means for linking synchronized tools and terminal devices.

[0013] In this invention, synchronized tools and terminal devices can be determined from the stored position information and time information of the tools and terminal devices, and synchronized tools and terminal devices can be appropriately linked. Furthermore, synchronized tools and terminal devices can be determined from the acceleration information and time information of the tools and terminal devices, and synchronized tools and terminal devices can be appropriately linked.

[0014] 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 a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment. This is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment. This is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment.

[0015] 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.

[0016] <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.

[0017] The tool system 100 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 100 is configured such that the server 101 and at least one terminal device 201 are connected via a wireless communication line 300.

[0018] <Example of Server Configuration in This Embodiment> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a server in this embodiment. Server 101 is an example of an information processing device and 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 location information acquisition unit 112, a time information acquisition unit 113, a storage processing unit 114, a synchronization determination unit 115, a linking unit 116, and a first transmission unit 117.

[0019] The first receiving unit 111 is an example of a receiving means and receives tool position information, which is the position information of the rebar tying machine 1, from the rebar tying machine 1 via the communication line 300. The first receiving unit 111 also receives tool time information, which is the tool time information acquired by the rebar tying machine 1 via the communication line 300. Furthermore, the first receiving unit 111 receives terminal position information, which is the position information of the terminal device 201, from the terminal device 201 via the communication line 300. In addition, the first receiving unit 111 receives terminal time information, which is the terminal time information acquired by the terminal device 201 via the communication line 300.

[0020] Furthermore, the first receiving unit 111 receives tool identification information that identifies the rebar tying machine 1, such as the serial number of the rebar tying machine 1, from the rebar tying machine 1 via the communication line 300. The first receiving unit 111 also receives terminal identification information that identifies the terminal device 201, such as login information including the password for logging into the server 101 using the terminal device 201, the serial number of the terminal device 201, and user information that identifies the user using the terminal device 201, from the terminal device 201 via the communication line 300.

[0021] The location information acquisition unit 112 is an example of a location information acquisition means, and acquires the tool location information of the rebar tying machine 1 received by the first receiving unit 111 and the terminal location information of the terminal device 201.

[0022] The time information acquisition unit 113 is an example of a time information acquisition means, and acquires tool time information of the rebar tying machine 1 received by the first receiving unit 111 and terminal time information of the terminal device 201.

[0023] The memory processing unit 114 stores tool position information, tool time information, tool identification information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1, terminal position information, terminal time information, terminal identification information acquired from the terminal device 201, etc., in the first memory unit 120.

[0024] The synchronization determination unit 115 is an example of a synchronization determination means, and determines that the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are synchronized based on the tool position information and tool time information, and terminal position information and terminal time information stored in the first storage unit 120. The synchronization determination unit 115 identifies the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 that are moving in the same direction based on the tool position information and tool time information, and terminal position information and terminal time information stored in the first storage unit 120, and determines that the identified rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are synchronized. Furthermore, the predetermined determination area that identifies the direction of movement of the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 is the distance at which it is determined that they are owned by the same worker. In other words, it is the range within which the worker can pick them up at any time.

[0025] The state in which the rebar tying machine and the terminal device are synchronized means that the direction in which the rebar tying machine 1 moves, determined from the tool position information at at least two different times (timings), and the direction in which the terminal device 201 moves, determined from the terminal position information, can be considered to be the same direction. The at least two different times may be, for example, consecutive times within an arbitrary sampling interval, discontinuous times with intervals in between, or a combination of consecutive times within a sampling interval and discontinuous times with intervals in between. Furthermore, the position information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 may be defined by a point, or it may have an arbitrary size. Moreover, the direction in which the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 move may be defined by a line connecting at least two points, or it may be a range with a width defined by at least two pieces of position information of arbitrary size. Furthermore, the state in which the direction of movement of the rebar tying machine 1 and the direction of movement of the terminal device 201 can be considered to be the same direction may be when their directions of movement are parallel and coincide, or when their directions of movement are unbalanced within an arbitrary range, and it is sufficient that the state represents a state in which the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are moving while maintaining a predetermined distance range over multiple consecutive time points. The state in which the rebar tying machine and the terminal device are synchronized can be rephrased as a state in which at least one rebar tying machine 1 and at least one terminal device 201 have the same position information at each of at least two different time points (timings). Here, the same position is sufficient if it is within a predetermined distance range. The predetermined distance may be, for example, within 5m, or within 1m. The state in which the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are synchronized can be rephrased as a state in which the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are within a predetermined distance range at each of multiple consecutive time points spaced apart.

[0026] In other words, determining whether a rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are synchronized means considering that at multiple times, rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 located within a predetermined distance range are being used by the same user. That is, determining synchronization means considering that at least one rebar tying machine 1 and at least one terminal device 201 are being used by the same user.

[0027] The tying section 116 is an example of a tying mechanism that ties the synchronized rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 together. The tying of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 is called pairing. The tying section 116 also releases the tying of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 when they have lost synchronization.

[0028] The linking of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 means, in other words, associating and storing the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201. Associating and storing the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 means associating and storing the information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the information of the terminal device 201. In other words, linking means remembering that one or more rebar tying machines 1 and one or more terminal devices 201 are associated and considered as a single set. In this case, even if there are multiple rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201, or both, associating the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201, considering them as a single set, and storing that information is called linking. In other words, linking means identifying the recipient with whom information is exchanged.

[0029] The first transmitting unit 117 is an example of a transmitting means and sends a notification to a terminal device 201 that has been linked to the rebar tying machine 1, indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been completed. The first transmitting unit 117 also sends a notification to a terminal device 201 that has been disconnected from the rebar tying machine 1, indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been disconnected.

[0030] The server 101 may also include an acceleration information acquisition unit 118. The acceleration information acquisition unit 118 is an example of an acceleration information acquisition means and acquires tool acceleration information of the rebar tying machine 1 received by the first receiving unit 111 and terminal acceleration information of the terminal device 201.

[0031] The first storage unit 120 stores a synchronization condition database (DB) 121, a tool information database (DB) 122, a user information database (DB) 123, a location information database (DB) 124, a time information database (DB) 125, and a first program 126. 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.

[0032] The synchronization condition database 121 stores conditions for the synchronization determination unit 115 to determine whether or not the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are synchronized.

[0033] The tool information database 122 stores tool identification information for the rebar tying machine 1. The tool information database 122 also stores information that identifies the model of the rebar tying machine based on the tool identification information.

[0034] The user information database 123 stores terminal identification information for the terminal device 201. The user information database 123 also stores user information that identifies the user of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201.

[0035] The location information database 124 is an example of a location information storage means, and stores tool location information received from the rebar tying machine 1. The location information database 124 also stores terminal location information received from the terminal device 201.

[0036] The time information database 125 is an example of a time information storage means, and stores tool time information obtained from tool position information by the rebar tying machine 1. In addition, the time information database 125 stores terminal time information obtained from terminal position information by the terminal device 201.

[0037] <Example of the functions of a program executed on the server> The first control unit 110 executes the first program 126 stored in the first storage unit 120 to realize the functions of the first receiving unit 111, the location information acquisition unit 112, the time information acquisition unit 113, the storage processing unit 114, the synchronization determination unit 115, the linking unit 116, the first transmission unit 117, and the acceleration information acquisition unit 118 described above.

[0038] The first program 126 realizes the first receiving unit 111 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to receive tool position information, tool time information, tool identification information, etc. from the rebar tying machine 1. Furthermore, the first program 126 realizes the first receiving unit 111 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to receive terminal position information, terminal time information, terminal identification information, etc. from the terminal device 201.

[0039] Furthermore, the first program 126 realizes the position information acquisition unit 112 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to acquire tool position information of the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal position information of the terminal device 201.

[0040] Furthermore, the first program 126 implements a storage processing unit 114 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to store tool position information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal position information acquired from the terminal device 201 in the position information database 124 of the first storage unit 120.

[0041] Furthermore, the first program 126 implements the storage processing unit 114 by having the first control unit 110 execute a process to store tool time information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal time information acquired from the terminal device 201 in the time information database 125 of the first storage unit 120.

[0042] Further, the first program 126 causes the first control unit 110 to execute a process of determining the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that are synchronized based on the tool position information stored in the position information database 124 of the first storage unit 120, the tool time information stored in the time information database 125, the terminal position information stored in the position information database 124, and the terminal time information stored in the time information database 125, thereby realizing the synchronization determination unit 115.

[0043] Further, the first program 126 causes the first control unit 110 to execute a process of associating the synchronized reinforcing bar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 and releasing the association between the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that have become unsynchronized, thereby realizing the association unit 116.

[0044] Further, the first program 126 causes the first control unit 110 to execute a process of transmitting an association completion notification indicating that the association with the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 has been completed to the terminal device 201 associated with the reinforcing bar tying machine 1, and transmitting an association release notification indicating that the association with the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 has been released to the terminal device 201 whose association with the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 has been released, thereby realizing the first transmission unit 117.

[0045] Further, the first program 126 causes the first control unit 110 to execute a process of acquiring the tool acceleration information of the reinforcing bar tying machine 1 and the terminal acceleration information of the terminal device 201, thereby realizing the acceleration information acquisition unit 118.

[0046] <Specific Example of the First Control Unit>The first control unit 110 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. Part or all of the first receiving unit 111, position information acquisition unit 112, time information acquisition unit 113, memory processing unit 114, synchronization determination unit 115, association unit 116, first transmission unit 117, and acceleration information acquisition unit 118 of the first control unit 110 may be realized by the processing of a program by the CPU. Further, part or all of the above functions of the first control unit 110 may be realized by the processing of a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) instead of the CPU or together with the CPU. Furthermore, part or all of the above functions may be realized by the processing of a dedicated hardware circuit instead of or together with the processing by software.

[0047] <Configuration Example of the Terminal Device According to the Present Embodiment>FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the terminal device according to the present embodiment. The terminal device 201 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet that a user has at a 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, a terminal position information acquisition unit 250, a terminal time information acquisition unit 251, and a terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260.

[0048] The second control unit 210 includes a second transmission unit 211, a second receiving unit 212, and an output control unit 213. The second storage unit 220 stores the second program 221.

[0049] The second transmission unit 211 transmits the terminal position information, terminal time information, and terminal identification information to the server 101 via the communication line 300.

[0050] The second receiving unit 212 receives a notification of completion of association with the rebar tying machine 1 from the server 101 via the communication line 300. Alternatively, the second transmission unit 211 transmits a notification of dissociation of association indicating that the association with the rebar tying machine 1 has been canceled from the server 101 via the communication line 300.

[0051] The output control unit 213 outputs a notification from the output unit 230 indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been completed, or a notification indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been terminated.

[0052] 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. Alternatively, the display output unit 231 may be an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED display), a plasma display, or the like instead of an OLED display. The input unit 240 is, for example, a touch panel provided on the display output unit 231.

[0053] The terminal location information acquisition unit 250 is an example of a terminal location information acquisition means, and for example, it uses GPS (Global Positioning System) to acquire terminal location information of the terminal device 201. The terminal time information acquisition unit 251 is an example of a terminal time information acquisition means, and it acquires the time at which the terminal location information was acquired as terminal time information.

[0054] Note that the terminal location information obtained using GPS includes terminal time information. Therefore, the terminal time information acquisition unit 251 acquires the terminal time information included in the terminal location information obtained using GPS. In this case, the terminal location information acquisition unit 250 may also function as the terminal time information acquisition unit 251.

[0055] The terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260 is an example of a means for acquiring terminal acceleration information, and acquires terminal acceleration information, which is acceleration information of the terminal device 201. The terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260 may be an acceleration sensor mounted inside the terminal device 201. Furthermore, since acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time, it can be calculated based on multiple different time information and position information at the relevant time. For this reason, the terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260 may calculate the acceleration of the terminal device 201 based on multiple different time information and the terminal device position information at the relevant time, without using an acceleration sensor.

[0056] <Example of the function of the program executed on the terminal device> The second control unit 210 executes the second program 221 stored in the second storage unit 220 to realize the functions of the second transmission unit 211, the second reception unit 212, and the output control unit 213 described above.

[0057] The second program 221 implements a second transmission unit 211 by having the second control unit 210 execute a process to transmit terminal location information and terminal time information. The second program 221 also implements a second reception unit 212 by having the second control unit 210 execute a process to receive a notification indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been completed, or a notification indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been terminated.

[0058] Furthermore, the second program 221 implements the output control unit 213 by having the second control unit 210 execute a process in the output unit 230 to output a notification indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been completed, or a notification indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been terminated.

[0059] <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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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 the rotation of the feeding motor 31, thereby switching the forward and reverse direction of the feeding of 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] The curl-forming section 5 includes an arm section 50 that gives a curl to the wire W fed by the wire feeding section 3, and 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The rebar tying machine 1 has a trigger 12 on the front side of the handle 11.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] The third control unit 90 includes a third transmission unit 91, a tool position information acquisition unit 92, and a tool time information acquisition unit 93.

[0073] The third transmission unit 91 transmits tool position information, tool time information, and tool identification information to the server 101 via the communication line 300.

[0074] The tool position information acquisition unit 92 is an example of a tool position information acquisition means, and for example, it uses GPS to acquire tool position information of the rebar tying machine 1. The tool time information acquisition unit 93 is an example of a tool time information acquisition means, and it acquires the time at which the tool position information was acquired as tool time information.

[0075] Furthermore, the tool position information acquired using GPS includes tool time information. Therefore, the tool time information acquisition unit 93 acquires the tool time information included in the tool position information acquired using GPS. In this case, the tool position information acquisition unit 92 may also function as the tool time information acquisition unit 93.

[0076] The rebar tying machine 1 may also be equipped with a tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94. The tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94 is an example of a tool acceleration information acquisition means and acquires tool acceleration information, which is the acceleration information of the rebar tying machine 1. The tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94 may be an acceleration sensor mounted inside the rebar tying machine. Furthermore, since acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time, it can be calculated based on multiple different time information and position information at the relevant time. For this reason, the tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94 may calculate the acceleration of the rebar tying machine 1 based on multiple different time information and tool position information at the relevant time, without using an acceleration sensor.

[0077] The rebar tying machine 1 includes a base plate 99. The base plate 99 is, for example, located inside the main body 10 above the drive unit 8. The third control unit 90 is located on the base plate 99. All of the functions of the third control unit 90 may be located on the base plate 99, or some of the functions of the third control unit 90 may be located on the base plate 99 and the remainder on a base plate not shown.

[0078] The rebar tying machine 1 is equipped with a main switch 16. The power to 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, on the back side of the main body 10.

[0079] <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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] <Example of operation of the tool system in this embodiment> When using, for example, a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 as tools in the tool system 100, first, information identifying the user and the terminal device 201 is registered with the server 101. For example, when the terminal device 201 logs into the server 101 using terminal identification information such as login information, and user information is entered into the input unit 240 of the terminal device 201 using predetermined application software, the second transmission unit 211 transmits the user information and other information to the server 101. The server 101 stores the user information that identifies the user and the terminal identification information of the terminal device 201 in the user information database 123 of the first storage unit 120. The application software may be a web application used from a network such as the Internet.

[0093] Furthermore, information identifying the rebar tying machine 1 is registered 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 using predetermined application software, the second transmission unit 211 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 122 of the first storage unit 120.

[0094] The user (worker) goes to the work site, takes the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201, and begins work using the rebar tying machine 1. When work using the rebar tying machine 1 begins, the stringing unit 116 performs an action to string the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 together.

[0095] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tool system of this embodiment, and describes an example of the operation of linking the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201.

[0096] When the user operates the main switch 16 and the power to the rebar tying machine 1 is turned on, the third control unit 90 of the rebar tying machine 1 acquires tool position information at predetermined intervals, for example every minute, using the tool position information acquisition unit 92, and acquires tool time information using the tool time information acquisition unit 93, and transmits the tool position information and tool time information to the server 101 using the third transmission unit 91.

[0097] Furthermore, when a user operates the input unit 240 on the terminal device 201 and starts a predetermined application software, the terminal device 201's second control unit 210 acquires terminal location information at predetermined intervals, for example every minute, using the terminal location information acquisition unit 250, and also acquires terminal time information using the terminal time information acquisition unit 251, and transmits the terminal location information and terminal time information to the server 101 using the second transmission unit 211.

[0098] Alternatively, after pressing the button indicating "Start transmitting location information" displayed on the display output unit 231 of the terminal device 201 using a predetermined application software, the terminal location information and terminal time information may be transmitted to the server 101 at predetermined intervals.

[0099] Another embodiment of transmitting location and time information is that the server 101 may request the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 to transmit location and time information at predetermined intervals. In this case, the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201, upon receiving the request from the server 101, transmit location and time information to the server 101 at predetermined intervals, for example, every minute. The time period during which the server 101 requests location and time information can be set in advance by the user or administrator. For example, it can be set in advance to request location and time information every minute from 9:00 to 17:00, when the tools of the rebar tying machine 1 are expected to be used.

[0100] The server 101 receives tool position information and tool time information transmitted from the rebar tying machine 1 with the first receiving unit 111, acquires the tool position information received by the first receiving unit 111 with the position information acquisition unit 112, and acquires the tool time information with the time information acquisition unit 113 (step SA1).

[0101] Furthermore, the server 101 receives terminal location information and terminal time information transmitted from the terminal device 201 with the first receiving unit 111, acquires the terminal location information received by the first receiving unit 111 with the location information acquisition unit 112, and acquires the terminal time information with the time information acquisition unit 113 (step SA1).

[0102] The server 101 stores tool position information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal position information acquired from the terminal device 201 in the position information database 124 of the first storage unit 120 using the storage processing unit 114, thereby accumulating tool position information and terminal position information (step SA2).

[0103] The server 101 stores tool time information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal time information acquired from the terminal device 201 in the time information database 125 of the first storage unit 120 using the storage processing unit 114, thereby accumulating tool time information and terminal time information (step SA2).

[0104] The server 101 uses the tool position information stored in the position information database 124 and the tool time information stored in the time information database 125 of the first storage unit 120, along with the terminal position information stored in the position information database 124 and the terminal time information stored in the time information database 125, to determine which rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 are synchronized based on the history of tool position information and terminal position information. The synchronization determination unit 115 compares the position information of the rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 at the same time and determines which rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 are synchronized based on the conditions stored in the synchronization condition database 121.

[0105] Note that the timing at which the rebar tying machine 1 is powered on and the timing at which the application software is launched on the terminal device 201 do not necessarily coincide. Therefore, the location information where the time at which the tool position information, identified by the tool time information, is acquired and the time at which the terminal position information, identified by the terminal time information, is acquired are closest are treated as location information for the same time. For example, if location information is transmitted every minute, there may be a time difference of up to 30 seconds between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201. Therefore, the location information where the time at the rebar tying machine 1 and the time at the terminal device 201 are closest within a range of ±30 seconds is treated as location information for the same time.

[0106] The server 101 uses a synchronization determination unit 115 to determine whether the tool position information stored in the position information database 124 of the first storage unit 120, the tool time information stored in the time information database 125, and the terminal position information stored in the position information database 124 and the terminal time information stored in the time information database 125 satisfy the synchronization condition 1 stored in the synchronization condition database 121 (step SA3).

[0107] Synchronization condition 1 is a condition (distance condition) relating to the distance between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201. The synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are within a predetermined radius, for example, within a radius of 2 m, at the same time, based on tool position information, terminal position information, tool time information, and terminal time information.

[0108] For combinations of rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 that satisfy synchronization condition 1, the server 101 considers the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 to be synchronized and increments the number of matches that satisfy synchronization condition 1 by 1 (step SA4).

[0109] The server 101 stores tool position information and tool time information, as well as terminal position information and terminal time information. At predetermined time intervals, for example every minute, it compares the position information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 at the same time to determine if the synchronization condition 1 is met, and stores the result.

[0110] The server 101 determines, using the synchronization determination unit 115, whether the tool position information, terminal position information, tool time information, and terminal time information satisfy the synchronization condition 2 stored in the synchronization condition database 121 (step SA5).

[0111] Synchronization condition 2 is a condition (continuity condition) relating to whether the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 continuously satisfy synchronization condition 1 (distance condition). The synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the number of times the same combination of rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 satisfies synchronization condition 1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, for example, three times or more.

[0112] The server 101 determines whether the combination of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that satisfies synchronization condition 2 has already been linked (step SA6).

[0113] If the server 101 determines that a combination of a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 that satisfies synchronization condition 2 has not been linked, it links the synchronized rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 using the linking unit 116 (step SA7).

[0114] The server 101 sends a linking completion notification to the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1, indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machine 1 has been completed (step SA8).

[0115] When the terminal device 201 receives a notification that it has been successfully linked, the display output unit 231 displays a message indicating that the synchronization with the rebar tying machine 1 has been completed. For example, the terminal device 201 displays the tool identification information (serial number) of the rebar tying machine 1 that has been determined to be synchronized on the display output unit 231. Alternatively, when the terminal device 201 receives a notification that it has been successfully linked, it may also notify the terminal device 201 of the completion of the synchronization with the rebar tying machine 1 by sound or vibration using the sound output unit 32.

[0116] When the server 101 determines that a combination of a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 that satisfies synchronization condition 2 has been linked, it maintains the link between the synchronized rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 (step SA9).

[0117] Server 101 determines whether a combination of a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 that satisfies synchronization condition 1 but does not satisfy synchronization condition 2 has already been linked (Step SA10)

[0118] If the server 101 determines that a combination of a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 that satisfies synchronization condition 1 but does not satisfy synchronization condition 2 is already linked, it will unlink the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that have become unsynchronized (step SA11).

[0119] Server 101 sends a notification to terminal device 201 that has been disconnected from the rebar tying machine 1, indicating that the connection with the rebar tying machine 1 has been terminated (step SA12).

[0120] In the above example, if the same rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 match three times in a row, it is determined that the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are moving synchronously. Therefore, if there is one mismatch among the three consecutive matches, they are considered asynchronous. For example, if three out of the last five consecutive matches are matches, they may be determined to be synchronized. If three out of the last five consecutive matches are consecutive, they may be determined to be synchronized, or if three out of three matches are discontinuous, they may be determined to be synchronized. If more than half of any multiple consecutive matches, whether consecutive or discontinuous, are matches, they may be determined to be synchronized.

[0121] <Examples of effects of linking tools and terminal devices> As described above, by linking the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201, error information generated by the rebar tying machine 1 can be displayed on the terminal device 201, which is carried together with the rebar tying machine 1.

[0122] Tools such as rebar tying machines may not have a display unit with sufficient functionality to show error information. In tools without a display unit, if an error occurs, the operator can be notified by sound, such as a buzzer, by light, such as an LED, or by a combination of both. In this case, the operator can recognize that an error has occurred in the tool, but it is difficult for them to immediately understand the nature of the error.

[0123] While it's possible to understand the nature of an error by referring to the tool's instruction manual or the manufacturer's website, constantly referring to these resources every time an error occurs hinders efficient work.

[0124] Therefore, the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 displays error information that occurred in the rebar tying machine 1. This allows the operator using the rebar tying machine 1 or other tools to check the details of the error that occurred in the tool on the display output unit 231 of the terminal device 201, enabling the operator to immediately understand the error.

[0125] Furthermore, the method for resolving errors that occur with the tool is displayed on the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1. This allows the operator using the rebar tying machine 1 or other tools to check the method for resolving errors occurring with the tool on the display output unit 231 of the terminal device 201, enabling the operator to resolve the error immediately.

[0126] Furthermore, the settings of the rebar tying machine 1 can be changed from the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1. For example, switching between high-speed operation mode and low-speed operation mode, switching between large-diameter tying mode and normal tying mode, switching between strong tying force mode and weak tying force mode, and switching between stainless steel mode, annealed wire mode and PC wire mode can be done by display on the display output unit 231 of the terminal device 201 and operation on the input unit 240.

[0127] Furthermore, the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 may be configured to display the usage history of the rebar tying machine 1. For example, the terminal device 201 linked to the rebar tying machine 1 can access tool usage information such as the cumulative number of operations (number of ties), usage history, and error history of the rebar tying machine 1.

[0128] <Other Operation Examples of the Tool System of This Embodiment> Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing modified operations of the tool system of this embodiment, and describe modified operations for linking the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201.

[0129] The server 101 receives tool position information and tool time information transmitted from the rebar tying machine 1 with the first receiving unit 111, acquires the tool position information received by the first receiving unit 111 with the position information acquisition unit 112, and acquires the tool time information with the time information acquisition unit 113 (step SB1).

[0130] Furthermore, the server 101 receives terminal location information and terminal time information transmitted from the terminal device 201 with the first receiving unit 111, acquires the terminal location information received by the first receiving unit 111 with the location information acquisition unit 112, and acquires the terminal time information with the time information acquisition unit 113 (step SB1).

[0131] The server 101 stores tool position information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal position information acquired from the terminal device 201 in the position information database 124 of the first storage unit 120 using the storage processing unit 114, thereby accumulating tool position information and terminal position information (step SB2).

[0132] The server 101 stores tool time information acquired from the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal time information acquired from the terminal device 201 in the time information database 125 of the first storage unit 120 using the storage processing unit 114, thereby accumulating tool time information and terminal time information (step SB2).

[0133] The server 101 determines whether there are multiple rebar tying machines 1 (step SB3). If there are multiple rebar tying machines 1, the server 101 compares the positions of the multiple rebar tying machines 1 (step SB4).

[0134] The server 101 uses a synchronization determination unit 115 to determine whether the tool position information stored in the position information database 124 and the tool time information stored in the time information database 125 of the first storage unit 120 satisfy the synchronization condition A stored in the synchronization condition database 121 (step SB5).

[0135] Synchronization condition A is a condition (distance condition 1) relating to the distance between multiple rebar tying machines 1 that define the tool determination area. The synchronization determination unit 115 determines, from tool position information and tool time information, whether there are multiple rebar tying machines 1 within a predetermined radius, for example, within a radius of 5 m, at the same time. In other words, synchronization condition A (distance condition 1) determines whether there are multiple rebar tying machines 1 in the tool determination area with the largest distance. The tool determination area with the largest distance is referred to as the maximum tool determination area. In this disclosure, the maximum tool determination area is described as a circle with a radius of 5 m.

[0136] When the server 101 determines that multiple rebar tying machines 1 satisfy distance condition 1, the synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the tool position information and tool time information of the multiple rebar tying machines 1 satisfy synchronization condition B (step SB6).

[0137] Synchronization condition B is a condition (distance condition 2) relating to the distance between multiple rebar tying machines 1 that define the tool determination area. The synchronization determination unit 115 determines, from tool position information and tool time information, whether there are multiple rebar tying machines 1 within a predetermined radius, for example, within a radius of 1 m, at the same time. In other words, synchronization condition B (distance condition 2) determines whether there are multiple rebar tying machines 1 in the tool determination area with the smallest distance. The tool determination area with the smallest distance is referred to as the minimum tool determination area. In this disclosure, the minimum tool determination area is described as a circle with a radius of 1 m.

[0138] When the server 101 determines that multiple rebar tying machines 1 satisfy distance condition 2, the synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the tool position information and tool time information, along with the terminal position information stored in the position information database 124 and the terminal time information stored in the time information database 125, satisfy the synchronization condition C stored in the synchronization condition database 121 (step SB7).

[0139] Synchronization condition C is a condition (distance condition 3) relating to the distance between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that defines the terminal determination area. The synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are within a predetermined radius, for example, within a radius of 1 m, at the same time, based on tool position information, terminal position information, tool time information, and terminal time information.

[0140] The server 101 considers that the rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 are synchronized for combinations of multiple rebar tying machines 1 that satisfy synchronization condition B and terminal devices 201 that satisfy synchronization condition C, and increments the number of matches that satisfy synchronization condition C by 1 (step SB8).

[0141] The server 101 determines, using the synchronization determination unit 115, whether the tool position information, terminal position information, tool time information, and terminal time information satisfy the synchronization condition 2 stored in the synchronization condition database 121 (step SB9).

[0142] Synchronization condition 2 is a condition (continuity condition) relating to whether the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 continuously satisfy synchronization condition C (distance condition 3). The synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the number of times synchronization condition C is satisfied by multiple rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 of the same combination is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, for example, three times or more.

[0143] The server 101 determines whether or not multiple combinations of rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 that satisfy synchronization condition 2 have been linked (step SB10).

[0144] If the server 101 determines that multiple combinations of rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 that satisfy synchronization condition 2 are not yet linked, it links the synchronized rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 using the linking unit 116 (step SB11).

[0145] The server 101 sends a linking completion notification to the terminal devices 201 linked to multiple rebar tying machines 1, indicating that the linking with the rebar tying machines 1 has been completed (step SB12).

[0146] When the server 101 determines that multiple combinations of rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 that satisfy synchronization condition 2 are already linked, it maintains the linking of the multiple synchronized rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 (step SB13).

[0147] Server 101 determines, using the synchronization determination unit 115, whether the tool position information and tool time information, and the terminal position information and terminal time information, satisfy the synchronization condition D stored in the synchronization condition database 121 for combinations of rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 that do not satisfy synchronization condition A, whether there is one tool or multiple tools (step SB14).

[0148] Synchronization condition D is a condition (distance condition 4) relating to the distance between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that defines the terminal determination area. The synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are within a predetermined radius, for example, within a radius of 5 m, at the same time, based on tool position information, terminal position information, tool time information, and terminal time information.

[0149] Server 101 considers that the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are synchronized for combinations of rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 that satisfy synchronization condition D, and increments the number of matches that satisfy synchronization condition D by 1 (step SB8). Subsequently, the processes described in steps SB9 to SB13 are carried out.

[0150] Even if there are multiple tools, the server 101 determines in the synchronization determination unit 115 whether the tool position information and tool time information, and the terminal position information and terminal time information, satisfy the synchronization condition E stored in the synchronization condition database 121 for combinations of rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 that do not satisfy synchronization condition B (step SB15).

[0151] Synchronization condition E is a condition (distance condition 5) relating to the distance between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that defines the terminal determination area. The synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are within a predetermined radius at the same time, for example, within half the distance between multiple rebar tying machines 1, based on tool position information, terminal position information, tool time information, and terminal time information. In other words, when the distance between multiple rebar tying machines 1 is less than the value of the maximum tool determination area and greater than the value of the minimum tool determination area, the value of the terminal determination area will be a value less than the value of the maximum tool determination area and greater than the value of the minimum tool determination area, for example, half the distance between multiple rebar tying machines 1. Specifically, let's explain using the example where the maximum tool determination area has a radius of 5m and the minimum tool determination area has a radius of 1m. When the distance between the rebar tying machines 1 is 4m, the terminal determination area will be a circle with a radius of 2m, which is half the distance between the rebar tying machines 1. When the distance between two rebar tying machines 1 is 3m, the terminal detection area becomes a circle with a radius of 1.5m, which is half the distance between the two rebar tying machines 1. In other words, the value of the terminal detection area is changed according to the density of the distances between multiple rebar tying machines 1. Furthermore, as the distance between multiple rebar tying machines 1 decreases, the value of the terminal detection area gradually decreases from the value of the maximum tool detection area towards the value of the minimum tool detection area.

[0152] The server 101 considers that multiple combinations of rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 that satisfy the synchronization condition E are synchronized, and increments the number of matches that satisfy the synchronization condition E by 1 (step SB8). Subsequently, it performs the processing described in steps SB9 to SB13 above.

[0153] Server 101 determines whether a combination of a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 that satisfies any of synchronization conditions A to E but does not satisfy synchronization condition 2 has already been linked (step SB16).

[0154] If the server 101 determines that a combination of a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 that satisfies any of synchronization conditions A to E but does not satisfy synchronization condition 2 is already linked, it will unlink the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 that have lost their synchronization (step SB17).

[0155] Server 101 sends a notification to terminal device 201 that has been disconnected from the rebar tying machine 1, indicating that the connection with the rebar tying machine 1 has been terminated (step SB18).

[0156] <Examples of effects of linking multiple tools and terminal devices> As explained above, if it is determined that multiple tools and multiple terminal devices 201 are synchronized, it is similarly determined that the multiple tools and multiple terminal devices 201 are moving in sync, and the linking is performed.

[0157] In order to use different tools depending on their purpose, one operator may possess multiple tools. For example, this could involve using multiple rebar tying machines 1, or using a rebar tying machine 1 in conjunction with other portable tools. In such cases, it is efficient to link multiple tools moving in sync with a single terminal device 201 and display information about all of the tools on that single terminal device 201.

[0158] Alternatively, the terminal device 201 may display tool identification information (serial number) of candidate tools for synchronization, allowing the user to select the tool to be linked by operating the terminal device 201. Allowing the user to select the tool to be linked via the terminal device 201 prevents unintentional linking with the tools of other workers working nearby simultaneously.

[0159] <Further Operation Examples of the Tool System in This Embodiment> A portable terminal device 201, such as a smartphone or tablet, is equipped with a terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260 that detects acceleration. Therefore, a tool such as a rebar tying machine 1 may be equipped with a tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94, and synchronization determination may be performed using the acceleration information.

[0160] When the rebar tying machine 1 detects that the acceleration acquired by the tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it transmits the tool acceleration information to the server 101 via the third transmission unit 91. Similarly, when the terminal device 201 detects that the acceleration acquired by the terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it transmits the terminal acceleration information to the server 101 via the second transmission unit 211.

[0161] Tools such as the rebar tying machine 1 are carried by the worker in their hand or attached to their waist, and are worn by the worker while they move. The terminal device 201 is carried by the worker, either placed in a pocket of their clothing or worn around their neck using a strap, and is worn by the worker while they move.

[0162] Therefore, when a worker wears the tool and terminal device 201 and moves around, the tool and terminal device 201 experience acceleration (vibration) at the same frequency. To enable detection of vibrations caused by carrying the device, the acceleration generated when a worker walks while wearing the tool and terminal device 201 is set as a threshold. When the acceleration acquired by the tool and terminal device 201 exceeds the threshold, the tool and terminal device 201 transmits acceleration information and time information to the server 101. In other words, every time vibrations caused by a worker walking are detected, the tool and terminal device 201 transmits acceleration information and time information to the server 101.

[0163] Note that the acceleration thresholds for the tool and the terminal device 201 may be different. If the threshold for the tool is set assuming it is carried in the hand and moved, and the threshold for the terminal device 201 is set assuming it is carried in a pocket, then it is advisable to set the acceleration threshold for the terminal device 201 lower than that for the tool.

[0164] Server 101 acquires tool acceleration information and terminal acceleration information using acceleration information acquisition unit 118. Synchronization is determined using acceleration when the time when the acceleration of the rebar tying machine 1 is detected and the time when the acceleration of the terminal device 201 is detected are simultaneous, and the tool acceleration information and terminal acceleration information are considered to be the same. In such cases, this is counted as the number of synchronization matches between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201.

[0165] Furthermore, synchronization can be determined using acceleration information, position information, and time information. As described above, the rebar tying machine 1 has a third control unit 90 which acquires tool position information at predetermined intervals, for example every minute, using a tool position information acquisition unit 92, and also acquires tool time information using a tool time information acquisition unit 93, and transmits the tool position information and tool time information to the server 101 using a third transmission unit 91.

[0166] Furthermore, the terminal device 201 has a second control unit 210 that acquires terminal location information at predetermined intervals using a terminal location information acquisition unit 250, and a terminal time information acquisition unit 251 that acquires terminal time information, and a second transmission unit 211 that transmits the terminal location information and terminal time information to the server 101.

[0167] In response, when the rebar tying machine 1 detects that the acceleration acquired by the tool acceleration information acquisition unit 94 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it acquires tool position information with the tool position information acquisition unit 92 and tool time information with the tool time information acquisition unit 93, and transmits the tool acceleration information, tool position information and tool time information to the server 101 with the third transmission unit 91.

[0168] Furthermore, when the terminal device 201 detects that the acceleration acquired by the terminal acceleration information acquisition unit 260 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it acquires terminal location information with the terminal location information acquisition unit 250 and terminal time information with the terminal time information acquisition unit 251, and transmits the terminal acceleration information, terminal location information and terminal time information to the server 101 with the second transmission unit 211.

[0169] As described above, by setting the acceleration generated when the worker walks while wearing the tool and terminal device 201 as a threshold, the tool and terminal device 201 transmit acceleration information, location information, and time information to the server 101 each time it detects vibrations from the worker walking.

[0170] Furthermore, in the rebar tying machine 1, which is an example of a tool, vibrations are generated during the series of tying operations caused by the rotation of the feed motor 31 and the torsion motor 80. Therefore, in order to detect the vibrations of the tying operation, the acceleration associated with the operation of the tool may be detected.

[0171] If the tool is a rebar tying machine 1, the acceleration threshold of the tool is set to detect the acceleration generated when the tying operation is performed. When the acceleration acquired by the rebar tying machine 1 exceeds the threshold, the rebar tying machine 1 transmits acceleration information, position information, and time information to the server 101. In other words, the time and position when the tying operation is performed are set to be sent from the rebar tying machine 1 to the server 101.

[0172] On the other hand, assuming that the terminal device 201 is worn by the worker, for example, in the pocket of their jacket, vibrations generated by the tying operation are transmitted to the terminal device 201. Therefore, a threshold is set in the terminal device 201 to detect vibrations (acceleration) generated by the tying operation of the rebar tying machine 1. When the acceleration acquired by the terminal device 201 exceeds the threshold, the terminal device 201 transmits acceleration information, location information, and time information to the server 101. In other words, the terminal device 201 detects vibrations associated with the tying operation and transmits location information and time information to the server 101. That is, each time a tying operation is detected, the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 transmit location information and time information to the server 101.

[0173] Synchronization determination using acceleration is performed when the time when the acceleration (vibration) of the rebar tying machine 1 is detected and the time when the acceleration (vibration) of the terminal device 201 is detected are simultaneous, and the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are within a predetermined distance, for example, within 1 m, based on the position information. In this case, it is counted as the number of times the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 have synchronized.

[0174] In this way, by acquiring acceleration associated with vibration at the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201, and performing synchronization determination based on position information at the timing of detection of acceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold, it is possible to determine the synchronization between the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 without requiring position information at predetermined time intervals.

[0175] Furthermore, the movement direction of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 may be added to the synchronization determination. That is, at predetermined time intervals, for example every minute, the tool position information of the rebar tying machine 1 is compared to determine the movement direction of the rebar tying machine 1 (tool movement direction). The tool movement direction is defined, for example, by a line connecting the respective tool position information at at least two consecutive time points. Also, at the same time interval, the terminal position information of the terminal device 201 is compared to determine the movement direction of the terminal device 201 (terminal movement direction). The terminal movement direction is defined, for example, by a line connecting the respective terminal position information at at least two consecutive time points. Then, by comparing the tool movement direction and the terminal movement direction at the same time point, it may be determined that the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal device 201 are synchronized when they move in the same direction.

[0176] If multiple users (workers) who possess a rebar tying machine 1 and a terminal device 201 gather at the same work site before starting work using the rebar tying machine 1, there is a possibility that the rebar tying machines 1 and terminal devices 201 of different users may become linked. Therefore, the synchronization determination unit 115 determines whether the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are synchronized if they have moved at least two consecutive time points, based on the tool position information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal position information of the terminal device 201. In other words, the synchronization determination unit 115 does not determine whether the rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201 are synchronized if they have not moved at least two consecutive time points, based on the tool position information of the rebar tying machine 1 and the terminal position information of the terminal device 201.

[0177] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows:

[0178] (Note 1) An information processing device capable of communicating with a tool and a terminal device, comprising: operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information of the tool and the terminal device; operation information storage means for storing the operation information; time information acquisition means for acquiring time information for acquiring the operation information; time information storage means for storing the time information; synchronization determination means for determining the synchronized tool and the terminal device from the stored operation information and the time information; and linking means for linking the synchronized tool and the terminal device.

[0179] (Note 2) The information processing apparatus according to Note 1, wherein the synchronization determination means determines that the tool and the terminal device are synchronized as they move in the same direction.

[0180] (Note 3) The operation information is the location information of the information processing device described in Note 2.

[0181] (Note 4) The information processing device described in Note 2, wherein the operation information is acceleration information.

[0182] (Note 5) The information processing device according to Note 3, wherein the synchronization determination means determines the direction of movement of the tool and the terminal device from the operation information of the tool and the terminal device at each of at least two consecutive time points.

[0183] (Note 6) The information processing device according to Note 3 or 4, wherein the synchronization determination means determines the direction of movement of the tool and the terminal device that are located within a predetermined determination area.

[0184] (Note 7) The information processing device described in Note 6, wherein the synchronization determination means changes the determination area according to the density of the distances between the multiple tools.

[0185] (Note 8) The information processing apparatus according to Note 7, wherein the synchronization determination means narrows the determination area as the plurality of tools get closer to each other.

[0186] The operation information may also be location information, and the tool location information and terminal location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 112 described above are examples of operation information. In this case, the location information acquisition unit 112 is an example of operation information acquisition means, and the location information database 124 is an example of operation information storage means.

[0187] Furthermore, the motion information may also be acceleration information, and the tool acceleration information and terminal acceleration information acquired by the acceleration information acquisition unit 118 described above are examples of motion information. In this case, the acceleration information acquisition unit 118 is an example of motion information acquisition means. In addition, the first storage unit 120 may be equipped with an acceleration information database as an example of motion information storage means.

[0188] Furthermore, the motion information may also be direction of movement information. For example, the tool movement direction information of the rebar tying machine 1 may be obtained from the tool position information, or the terminal movement direction information of the terminal device 201 may be obtained from the terminal position information. Alternatively, the tool movement direction information may be obtained from the tool acceleration information, or the terminal movement direction information may be obtained from the terminal acceleration information. Moreover, the motion information may consist of position information and acceleration information.

[0189] If the motion information is acceleration information, the acceleration information may be vibrations generated when the worker moves while holding a rebar tying machine 1 and terminal device 201, which are examples of tools. Also, the acceleration information of the rebar tying machine 1 (tool) may be vibrations generated when the motor of the tool is driven.

[0190] 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.

[0191] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-173854 filed on October 2, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-013503 filed on January 30, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated by reference within this application.

[0192] 1... Rebar tying machine (tool), 90... Third control unit, 91... Third transmission unit, 92... Tool position information acquisition unit (tool position information acquisition means), 93... Tool time information acquisition unit (tool time information acquisition means), 94... Tool acceleration information acquisition unit (tool acceleration information acquisition means), 100... Tool system, 101... Server (information processing device), 110... First control unit, 111... First receiving unit, 112... Position information acquisition unit (position information acquisition means), 113... Time information acquisition unit (time information acquisition means), 114... Storage processing unit, 115... Synchronization determination unit (synchronization determination means), 116... Linking unit (linking means), 117... First transmission unit, 118... Acceleration information acquisition unit (acceleration information acquisition means), 120... First storage unit, 121... 122...Synchronization condition database, 123...Tool information database, 124...User information database, 125...Location information database (location information storage means), 126...Time information database (time information storage means), 126...First program, 201...Terminal device, 210...Second control unit, 211...Second transmission unit, 212...Second reception unit, 213...Output control unit, 220...Second storage unit, 221...Second program, 230...Output unit, 231...Display output unit, 232...Sound output unit, 240...Input unit, 250...Terminal location information acquisition unit (terminal location information acquisition means), 251...Terminal time information acquisition unit (terminal time information acquisition means), 260...Terminal acceleration information acquisition unit (terminal acceleration information acquisition means)

Claims

An information processing device capable of communicating with tools and terminal devices, A location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the tool and the terminal device, Location information storage means for storing the aforementioned location information, A time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the aforementioned location information was acquired, A time information storage means for storing the aforementioned time information, A synchronization determination means that determines the synchronized tool and terminal device from the accumulated position information and time information, A linking means for linking the synchronized tool and the terminal device Equipped with an information processing device. 　 The synchronization determination means identifies the tool and the terminal device that are moving in the same direction from the stored position information and time information, and determines that the identified tool and the terminal device are synchronized. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 　 The synchronization determination means determines the direction of movement of the tool and the terminal device from the position information of the tool and the terminal device at each of at least two consecutive time points. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. 　 The synchronization determination means determines the direction of movement of the tool and the terminal device that are located within a predetermined determination area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. 　 The synchronization determination means changes the determination area according to the density of the distances between the multiple tools. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. 　 The synchronization determination means narrows the determination area as the multiple tools get closer to each other. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. 　 An information processing device capable of communicating with tools and terminal devices, Acceleration information acquisition means for acquiring acceleration information of the tool and the terminal device, A time information acquisition means for acquiring time information for acquiring the acceleration information, A synchronization determination means that determines the synchronized tool and terminal device from the acceleration information and the time information, A linking means for linking the synchronized tool and the terminal device Equipped with an information processing device. A program executed by control means of an information processing device capable of communicating with tools and terminal devices, A step of acquiring the position information of the terminal device relative to the tool, The steps include storing the aforementioned location information, The steps include obtaining the time information when the location information was obtained, The steps include: storing the aforementioned time information, A step of determining the synchronized tool and terminal device from the accumulated location information and time information, A step of linking the synchronized tool and the terminal device. The control means is made to execute program. 　 A control method for an information processing device that can communicate with tools and terminal devices, The steps include: acquiring location information of the tool and the terminal device; The steps include storing the aforementioned location information, The steps include obtaining the time information when the location information was obtained, The steps include: storing the aforementioned time information, A step of determining the synchronized tool and terminal device from the accumulated location information and time information, The steps include linking the synchronized tool and the terminal device. A method for controlling an information processing device. 　 Tools and Terminal device and A tool system comprising the aforementioned tool and an information processing device capable of communicating with the aforementioned terminal device, The aforementioned information processing device is A location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the tool and the terminal device, Location information storage means for storing the aforementioned location information, A time information acquisition means for acquiring time information when the aforementioned location information was acquired, A time information storage means for storing the aforementioned time information, A synchronization determination means that determines the synchronized tool and terminal device from the accumulated position information and time information, A linking means for linking the synchronized tool and the terminal device A tool system equipped with these tools.

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