Work Machine Status Identification via Color-Coded Pictorial Figures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machine management systems struggle to instantly determine whether a work machine is within a field or on a road and whether it is operational, making it difficult for managers and workers to comprehend the operating status of multiple machines remotely.

Innovation Solution

A work machine management method and system that determines the location of a work machine within a field by using location and field information, and outputs pictorial figure information to visually indicate its status, allowing easy identification of whether the machine is in the field and its operational state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If only map display with machine positions is used, then machine location can be tracked, but it is difficult to instantly comprehend whether machines are in fields or on roads and whether they are working

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color-coded pictorial figures to represent different machine statuses. Machines in fields are displayed with one color/schema, machines on roads with another, and working vs. non-working states are distinguished through visual variations. This color-coding system allows managers to instantly comprehend machine location context and operational status without complex displays or additional information processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If detailed machine status information is provided, then operational status can be comprehended, but it becomes difficult to instantly identify the status at a glance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus informationVSAvoididentification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified pictorial figure representations (visual copies) of the actual machines and their statuses. Instead of displaying raw data or detailed information, the system generates icon-based visual copies that convey location context (field vs. road) and operational status (working vs. non-working) instantly. These pictorial figures serve as visual abbreviations that preserve essential status information while enabling immediate recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If multiple machines are monitored individually, then each machine status can be tracked, but it becomes difficult to manage and comprehend multiple machines simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine status informationVSAvoidmanagement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display information of multiple machines into a unified visual interface. All machines are represented as pictorial figures on a single map display, with their statuses encoded through visual attributes rather than requiring separate displays or complex data tables. This merging approach allows managers to monitor multiple machines simultaneously while maintaining clear distinction between individual machine statuses through the pictorial representation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4085742A1Work management method, work management system, and work management program
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4085742A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4085742A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4085742A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] The present invention provides a work machine management method, a work machine management system, and a work machine management program capable of easily identifying an operation status of a work machine. [Solution] The work machine management method includes: determining whether a latest location of a work machine (2) is in a field (9) on the basis of machine information at least including location information indicating the latest location of the work machine (2) and field information at least indicating a location and an area of the field (9) (S3); and outputting pictorial figure information indicating a pictorial figure for displaying whether the latest location of the work machine (2) is in the field (9) in an identifiable manner (S5).