Remote Operation Assistance for Weather-Based Ground Condition Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to provide operators of work machines with comprehensive information about the influence of regional weather conditions, such as precipitation and temperature, on the transfer and work of the machines.

Innovation Solution

A remote operation assistance server and system that outputs first and second work reference information to a remote operation apparatus, providing historical and predictive weather data and ground property changes based on designated areas, allowing operators to estimate and predict how weather conditions affect the work machine's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If weather information is displayed on the remote server, then operators can see weather conditions, but the system lacks information about the influence of weather on work machine operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather information completenessVSAvoidapplicability to work machine operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote operation assistance server as an intermediary between the remote server and the work machine operator. This intermediary server receives weather information from the remote server, processes it by determining work reference information that reflects the influence of weather on work machine operation, and transmits the processed information to the operator. This resolves the contradiction by adding a specialized intermediary that transforms generic weather data into operation-specific guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms weather information parameters into work reference information parameters that are specific to work machine operation. The remote operation assistance server changes the parameter representation from general weather conditions to operationally relevant metrics such as ground conditions, visibility impact, and equipment performance factors, making the information adaptable to work machine operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If general weather conditions are provided, then operators receive weather data, but the information does not specifically address ground property changes affecting machine transfer and work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather data availabilityVSAvoidground property information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing weather information that is specifically processed for the local work area of the work machine. The remote operation assistance server determines work reference information tailored to the specific ground properties and operational context of the work machine's location, rather than providing generic regional weather data. This ensures the information accurately reflects local ground property changes affecting machine operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively determining and providing work reference information about ground property changes before they significantly impact work machine operation. The remote operation assistance server analyzes weather data and predicts ground condition changes, delivering this information to operators in advance so they can prepare appropriate operational responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4130402B1Remote operation assistance server, remote operation assistance system, and remote operation assistance method
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4130402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4130402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a server, or the like, capable of providing an operator of a work machine with information about influence of various regional weather conditions, such as precipitation and temperature, on the transfer and work of the work machine. A first operation reference information Img(info1), representing weather conditions (actual measurement values or analytic values) over a first designated period in the past and weather conditions (predictive values) over a second designated period in the future at a designated area A where a work machine 40 is present, is output to a remote output interface 220 of a remote operation apparatus 20. This enables the operator of the work machine 40 to estimate or predict changes in inherent properties of the ground at the designated area caused by the weather conditions over the first designated period in the past and to be caused by the weather conditions in the second designated period in the future, and by extension, information about the properties of the ground after the changes, which influence the transfer or work of the work machine 40.