Fleet Management Interface for Remote Forest Machine Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and maintaining mobile forest machines and transport equipment is challenging due to their remote operation in demanding terrain, leading to difficulties in tracking and reporting, increased information complexity with a growing fleet, and issues with equipment changes and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remote communication-based fleet management, utilizing a user interface with hierarchical and graphic menus to control and monitor forest machines and transport equipment, enabling real-time data updates and remote control of machines for efficient operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If forest machines operate in remote demanding terrain, then productivity and operational capability are improved, but tracking and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized management system that acts as an intermediary between remote forest machines and operators. This system receives data from machines via communication modules and presents processed information through user interfaces, eliminating the need for direct physical tracking and enabling remote monitoring of location, status, and operational data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tracking methods with electronic and optical systems. Machines are equipped with communication modules, GPS receivers, and sensors that transmit data wirelessly to the management system, substituting physical presence and manual tracking with automated electronic monitoring.
2Productivity
If fleet size increases, then productivity is improved, but information complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges information from multiple machines into a single centralized management system. The system consolidates data from various sources (location, status, operational parameters) and presents it through unified user interfaces, allowing operators to manage entire fleets through single screens without being overwhelmed by individual machine data.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system performs multiple functions through a single platform: tracking location, monitoring operational status, managing maintenance schedules, and controlling multiple machines. The user interface adapts to display different types of information based on user needs, providing a universal solution for diverse fleet management requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If machines are located far from service points, then operational reach is improved, but maintenance accessibility and repair time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary maintenance actions by monitoring machine status in real-time and predicting potential failures before they occur. The management system can schedule maintenance proactively, prepare service teams in advance, and even guide operators through preliminary troubleshooting steps, reducing the need for immediate physical intervention when machines are remote.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between remote machines and service points. It coordinates transportation of machines to service points, manages maintenance schedules, and enables remote diagnostics, making the maintenance process more efficient despite the physical distance between operational areas and service facilities.
4Ease of operation
If remote communication and control are implemented, then management efficiency is improved, but system complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent modular components: communication modules in machines, GPS receivers, centralized management server, and user interface terminals. Each component performs a specific function and can be implemented independently, allowing the system to be built and scaled according to needs without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system is designed as a universal platform that can control and monitor different types of forest machines through standardized interfaces. The same system architecture serves multiple functions (tracking, monitoring, controlling, scheduling) across diverse equipment, reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for fleet management includes a first user interface zone and a second user interface zone, which are can be presented to the user simultaneously on the same first user interface. On the first user interface is presented, in response to a selection made by the user, simultaneously at least two parallel first selection elements, and from the selected at least one first selection element, at least one selectable first selection element related thereto and included in the next higher or lower hierarchical level. The second user interface zone is arranged to present information which is based on selections made by the user via the first user interface zone.