Information-Sharing System for Crane Work Range Visualization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crane operation support systems cannot display information of the entire work range beyond the imaging area of a camera and share such information among multiple operators.

Innovation Solution

An information-sharing system that includes a control apparatus, displays, and an information input section, which acquires camera images and coordinates, displays map information with camera images superimposed, and adjusts scales and zoom ratios synchronously across multiple displays to cover the entire work range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a camera is used to capture the work site, then real-time visual information is provided, but the entire work range cannot be displayed when the work range exceeds the camera's imaging area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework range informationVSAvoidimaging area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera image display with map information display into a unified interface. The map shows the entire work range while the camera image is overlaid or positioned on the map, combining the comprehensive coverage of the map with the real-time visual feedback of the camera to display complete work range information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces map information as an intermediary element between the camera and the operator. The map serves as a mediator that contextualizes the camera's limited field of view within the broader work range, allowing operators to understand both the immediate camera view and the overall work area simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operators need to share information, then collaboration is improved, but maintaining synchronized display across multiple devices increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation sharing capabilityVSAvoidsynchronization system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal display system where multiple displays (portable terminals and in-vehicle displays) access and show the same standardized information interface. This multi-functional approach allows any operator with any display device to view and interact with the same work range information and camera feeds, enabling seamless information sharing without requiring device-specific implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the scale of map information is changed on one display, then viewing flexibility is improved, but other displays must also update to maintain synchronized view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay scale adjustmentVSAvoidsynchronization mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where scale adjustment operations on any display are transmitted to the control device, which then sends updated scale parameters back to all other displays. This feedback loop ensures that when one operator adjusts the map scale on their portable terminal or in-vehicle display, all other operators' displays automatically update to maintain the same synchronized view, preserving operational consistency across the team.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4219384B1Information-sharing system
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 TADANO LTD
  • EP4219384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219384B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219384B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information-sharing system (12) acquiring an image taken by a camera (51) from a working vehicle (13) including a working apparatus (3), the camera (51) supported by the working apparatus (3), and a sensor (53) for acquiring coordinates of the camera (51), comprising a control apparatus (80); a plurality of displays (59); and an information input section (59) for inputting information to be displayed on the displays (59), wherein the control apparatus (80) acquires a work range of the working vehicle (13) from the working vehicle (13), acquires coordinates of the camera (51) from the sensor (53), displays the map information in the work range on all the displays (59), and displays the image taken by the camera (51) on an area on the map information having the same size as an imaging area of the camera (51), the area being a coordinate position of the camera (51) on the map information.