Construction Machine Video Access Using Split Cab Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machine monitoring systems face challenges in securely transmitting and authenticating video data from construction machines to external devices, particularly due to the inclusion of sensitive information like operator faces and the need for physical contact during authentication, which complicates the handling and security of image data.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system with a construction machine equipped with a first camera, video recording device, and wireless communication device allows video transmission to a portable monitoring device, featuring separate authentication displays inside and outside the cab for identification and password entry, ensuring secure and convenient access to peripheral region videos.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple types of information (operator information, workpiece information, tool information, machine information) are collected and managed in a centralized server, then information management efficiency and productivity are improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides information management into two segments: a centralized server for comprehensive data storage and processing, and edge terminals (construction machines, mobile devices) for local data collection and preliminary processing. This segmentation allows efficient centralized management while distributing system functions to reduce single-point complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that receives, stores, and processes information from multiple sources (construction machines, mobile terminals, cloud services). This intermediary role centralizes information management functions, improving overall system efficiency while allowing individual components to remain relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If GPS reception is used to determine construction machine position, then positioning capability is provided, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in canyons or forest areas with poor GPS reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple positioning methods: GPS satellite-based positioning for open areas, and inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) for areas with poor GPS reception. By combining these methods, the system maintains positioning capability in diverse environments while improving accuracy where GPS alone fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes positioning parameters by switching between GPS-based absolute positioning and inertial sensor-based relative positioning depending on signal availability. When GPS signal quality degrades, the system transitions to using acceleration and angular velocity data to calculate position changes, maintaining positioning functionality across varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If construction machine position is recorded at regular time intervals, then position history is captured, but position information during intervals between recordings is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data pointsVSAvoidposition information between recordings
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) that continuously measure motion parameters between GPS recordings. By integrating acceleration data over time, the system calculates position changes occurring between discrete GPS data points, effectively capturing continuous position information without increasing GPS sampling frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The inertial sensors continuously monitor and pre-calculate position changes between GPS recordings. This preliminary action of tracking motion parameters ensures that position information during intervals is captured through sensor data, which is then combined with periodic GPS data to reconstruct complete position history.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4340354B1Monitoring system, monitoring device, and construction machine
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP4340354B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4340354B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4340354B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system, a monitoring device, and a construction machine each capable of improving the convenience for a user during monitoring while ensuring security related to the leakage of video data of a peripheral region. In a monitoring system 10 of the present invention, a monitoring device 30 reads information related to an access ID from a first authentication-related information display portion 208 arranged outside an operator's cab of a construction machine 20, using a second camera 300, and also reads information related to an access password from a second authentication-related information display portion 210 arranged in the operator's cab, using the second camera 300. The access ID may include a combination of the identification number of the construction machine 20 and a code representing the type of the construction machine 20.