U.S. patent application number 14/399838 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for industrial vehicle management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Adachi, Jyunji Ichikawa, Yasumasa Zaizen.
Application Number | 20150161969 14/399838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49550697 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150161969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zaizen; Yasumasa ; et
al. |
June 11, 2015 |
INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
An industrial vehicle management system includes: a receiving
unit that acquires operational information specifying a position
and an operational state of each of a plurality of industrial
vehicles; a symbol combining unit that, based on the operational
information received by the receiving unit, superimposes and
combines upon a map symbols showing the position of each of the
industrial vehicles; a display control unit that displays upon a
display device a map image that has been superimposed and combined
by the symbol combining unit; and a symbol processing unit that
changes display formats of the symbols according to the operational
state.
Inventors: |
Zaizen; Yasumasa;
(Tondabayashi-shi, JP) ; Adachi; Hiroyuki;
(Tsuchiura-shi, JP) ; Ichikawa; Jyunji;
(Saitama-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO.,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
49550697 |
Appl. No.: |
14/399838 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
May 1, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/062715 |
371 Date: |
November 7, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/629 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/267 20130101;
G09G 5/377 20130101; G09G 2340/14 20130101; G09G 2380/10 20130101;
E02F 9/2054 20130101; G06T 2210/32 20130101; G09G 5/30 20130101;
G07C 5/006 20130101; E02F 9/261 20130101; G06T 11/00 20130101; G09G
2340/12 20130101; G09G 2320/10 20130101; G06T 11/60 20130101; G07C
5/008 20130101; G09G 2320/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/377 20060101
G09G005/377; G06T 11/60 20060101 G06T011/60; G09G 5/30 20060101
G09G005/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 10, 2012 |
JP |
2012-108411 |
Claims
1. An industrial vehicle management system, comprising: a receiving
unit that acquires operational information specifying a position
and an operational state of each of a plurality of industrial
vehicles; a symbol combining unit that, based on the operational
information received by the receiving unit, superimposes and
combines upon a map symbols showing the position of each of the
industrial vehicles; a display control unit that displays upon a
display device a map image that has been superimposed and combined
by the symbol combining unit; and a symbol processing unit that
changes display formats of the symbols according to the operational
state.
2. The industrial vehicle management system according to claim 1,
wherein: the operational information includes at least operating
hours and maintenance costs; and the symbol processing unit changes
the display formats of the symbols according to the operating hours
or the maintenance costs.
3. The industrial vehicle management system according to claim 2,
further comprising: a restriction unit that restricts corresponding
industrial vehicles to a predetermined hour band among the
operating hours, or to predetermined costs among the maintenance
costs, wherein: the symbol combining unit superimposes and combines
upon the map, only symbols indicating the corresponding industrial
vehicles restricted by the restriction unit.
4. The industrial vehicle management system according to claim 3,
wherein: the operational information further includes information
specifying a type of each of the industrial vehicles, an empty
weight of each of the industrial vehicles, an entity in charge of
maintenance of each of the industrial vehicles, an operating time
of each of the industrial vehicles, an area in which each of the
industrial vehicles is located, and the number of warnings issued
from each of the industrial vehicles; the restriction unit
restricts the corresponding industrial vehicles based on at least
one of the type of each of the industrial vehicles, the empty
weight of each of the industrial vehicles, the entities in charge
of maintenance of each of the industrial vehicles, the operating
time of each of the industrial vehicles, the area in which each of
the industrial vehicles is located, and the number of warnings
issued from each of the industrial vehicles; and the symbol
combining unit superimposes and combines upon the map, only symbols
indicating the corresponding industrial vehicles restricted by the
restriction unit.
5. The industrial vehicle management system according to claim 1,
wherein: the symbol combining unit superimposes and combines, over
another symbol, a symbol indicating an industrial vehicle for which
a value denoting the operational state is greater.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an industrial vehicle
management system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A management system is per se known that, from a plurality
of construction machines, collects position information,
operational information, anomaly information, or the like from each
of the vehicles (refer to Patent Document #1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Document #1: International Publication
WO2001/073220.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] With this prior art technique, there is the problem that the
information required for providing services for each of the
vehicles is difficult to understand, since a large quantity of
information is collected as the number of construction machine
vehicles increases.
Solution to Technical Problem
[0005] According to the 1st aspect of the present invention, an
industrial vehicle management system, comprises: a receiving unit
that acquires operational information specifying a position and an
operational state of each of a plurality of industrial vehicles; a
symbol combining unit that, based on the operational information
received by the receiving unit, superimposes and combines upon a
map symbols showing the position of each of the industrial
vehicles; a display control unit that displays upon a display
device a map image that has been superimposed and combined by the
symbol combining unit; and a symbol processing unit that changes
display formats of the symbols according to the operational
state.
[0006] According to the 2nd aspect of the present invention, in the
industrial vehicle management system according to the 1st aspect,
it is preferred that: the operational information includes at least
operating hours and maintenance costs; and the symbol processing
unit changes the display formats of the symbols according to the
operating hours or the maintenance costs.
[0007] According to the 3rd aspect of the present invention, in the
industrial vehicle management system according to the 2nd aspect,
it is preferred that: the industrial vehicle management system
further comprises a restriction unit that restricts corresponding
industrial vehicles to a predetermined hour band among the
operating hours, or to predetermined costs among the maintenance
costs; and the symbol combining unit superimposes and combines upon
the map, only symbols indicating the corresponding industrial
vehicles restricted by the restriction unit.
[0008] According to the 4th aspect of the present invention, in the
industrial vehicle management system according to the 3rd aspect,
it is preferred that: the operational information further includes
information specifying a type of each of the industrial vehicles,
an empty weight of each of the industrial vehicles, an entity in
charge of maintenance of each of the industrial vehicles, an
operating time of each of the industrial vehicles, an area in which
each of the industrial vehicles is located, and the number of
warnings issued from each of the industrial vehicles; the
restriction unit restricts the corresponding industrial vehicles
based on at least one of the type of each of the industrial
vehicles, the empty weight of each of the industrial vehicles, the
entities in charge of maintenance of each of the industrial
vehicles, the operating time of each of the industrial vehicles,
the area in which each of the industrial vehicles is located, and
the number of warnings issued from each of the industrial vehicles;
and the symbol combining unit superimposes and combines upon the
map, only symbols indicating the corresponding industrial vehicles
restricted by the restriction unit.
[0009] According to the 5th aspect of the present invention, in the
industrial vehicle management system according to any one of the
1st through 4th aspects, it is preferred that the symbol combining
unit superimposes and combines, over another symbol, a symbol
indicating an industrial vehicle for which a value denoting the
operational state is greater.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to
provide an industrial vehicle management system that assists with
supply of precise services to each vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a figure showing the overall structure of a
construction machine management system according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a figure showing an example of a map screen that
specifies the operational states of hydraulic excavators;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explanation of the structure
of principal portions of one of the hydraulic excavators;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of a base station;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of an analysis server that is provided to a service
center;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a figure showing an example of a database;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a figure showing an example of an analysis screen
that specifies the operational states of the hydraulic
excavators;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explanation of the flow of
processing executed by a processing device of the analysis server;
and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explanation of the details of
analysis processing.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Embodiments will now be described and explained with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a figure showing an example of
the overall structure of a construction machine management system
according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a
plurality of hydraulic excavators are operating in a plurality of
areas A, B, and C. Hydraulic excavators a1 through a3 are present
in area A; hydraulic excavators b1 through b3 are present in area
B; and hydraulic excavators c1 through c3 are present in area C.
The scopes of these areas may range from wards through towns,
cities, counties (prefectures), and states, and may even be
continents each including countries. The number of hydraulic
excavators (vehicles) may be ten to a thousand, or even more.
[0021] Each of the hydraulic excavators detects the states of
various sections within that hydraulic excavator, and transmits the
detected information to a service center SS. In this embodiment,
this information is sent from the hydraulic excavators via a
communication satellite CS to a base station BC, and then is sent
from the base station BC via a public circuit network PC to an
analysis server AS of the service center SS. According to this
structure, information from the hydraulic excavators at the various
locations is collected by the service center SS. It should be
understood that the communication from the hydraulic excavators to
the base station is not limited to being satellite communication;
various other means might be employed, such as mobile telephone
communication, wireless LAN communication, or the like.
[0022] Apart from the information received from the excavators, the
service center SS also keeps past maintenance information
(inspection history, repair history, maintenance cost, and so on)
for each of the hydraulic excavators described above. And, on the
basis of the information collected from the hydraulic excavators
and this past maintenance information, the analysis server AS of
the service center SS displays a management screen that will be
described hereinafter upon a display device.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a figure showing an example of a map screen
displayed by the analysis server AS upon the display device, and
indicating the operational states of the hydraulic excavators. In
FIG. 2, a map 101 and a restriction tool window 102 are displayed
upon the display screen. Symbols 103 through 107 denoting each of a
number of hydraulic excavators are displayed as overlaid upon and
combined with the map 101 at positions corresponding to the ground
locations of those hydraulic excavators. In other words, a single
symbol upon the map indicates a single hydraulic excavator that is
working at that location. The scale at which the map 101 is
displayed can also be changed. Moreover it is also possible to
provide a restriction display corresponding to restriction
conditions (for example, restriction by year, by hydraulic
excavator (vehicle) class (i.e. by empty weight), by area, by
company in charge of selling or maintaining each hydraulic
excavator, by the types (models) of the hydraulic excavators, by
number of warnings issued for each hydraulic excavator, or the
like) provided in a restriction tool window 102.
[0024] If the restriction is performed by year, then a slider 108
for week selection is displayed upon the screen. When this week
selection slider 108 is operated, the analysis server AS displays
the operational states of the hydraulic excavators for the
corresponding week upon the map 101. And the total number of all
the operating hydraulic excavators that are subjected to the
restriction condition is displayed in a window 109, and the average
of the operating hours of the hydraulic excavators subjected to the
restriction condition is displayed in a window 110. Moreover, an
operating time band breakdown of the total number of operating
units displayed in the window 109 (classified by the sizes of their
cumulative operating hours in the corresponding week) is displayed
in a window 111.
[0025] The symbols 103 through 107 displayed upon the map 101 are,
for example, displayed while being superimposed and combined in
different display formats for different bands of operating hours.
In this embodiment, the display formats are varied by changing the
colors in which the symbols are displayed. It would also be
acceptable to arrange to change the sizes of the symbols according
to the operating hours, or the brightnesses at which they are
displayed, instead of changing the display colors. Due to the
provision of this type of map screen display, it is possible for
the manager of the service center SS to ascertain intuitively for
how many hours each hydraulic excavator has been operating,
wherever the hydraulic excavator may be, and at any timing.
[0026] The structure of the hydraulic excavators included in this
construction machine management system, the structure of the ground
station BC, and the structure of the analysis server AS will be
explained in further detail hereinafter.
<The Hydraulic Excavators>
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explanation of the structure
of the principal portions of one of the hydraulic excavators an,
bn, and cn of FIG. 1. To each of these hydraulic excavators, there
is mounted a sensor group 10 that detects various conditions and
operational states of various parts of the excavator, such as
engine rotational speed, engine oil pressure, battery voltage,
temperature of water in a cooling device, temperature of hydraulic
fluid, amount of actuation of a front working device that includes
a boom and an arm or the like, amount of pivoting operation, amount
of traveling operation, the working loads upon working devices, and
so on. The state detection signals from this sensor group 10 are
read in by the controller 20 at predetermined timings.
[0028] The controller 20 comprises a timer unit 20a for adding the
traveling operating hours, the pivoting operating hours, and the
front (excavation) operating hours. The controller 20 calculates
the traveling operating hours, the pivoting operating hours, and
the front operating hours on the basis of the state detection
signals that have been read in. These operating hours that have
thus been calculated are stored in a storage device 21. Moreover,
the hydraulic excavator comprises a key switch 22 that starts an
engine not shown in the figures, and an hour meter 23 that measures
the operating hours of the engine.
[0029] Furthermore, a GPS receiver 24 is mounted to the hydraulic
excavator. This GPS receiver 24 receives GPS signals transmitted
from GPS satellites GS, calculates position information for the
hydraulic excavator (i.e. its location) on the basis of these GPS
signals, and outputs this position information to the controller
20. A monitor 25 is provided at the driving seat of the hydraulic
excavator, and displays information of various types.
[0030] On the basis of timer data provided by the timer unit 20a
described above, the controller 20 detects the time point that the
key switch 22 goes ON, the time point that it goes OFF, the time
point that the engine starts, and the time point that the engine
stops, and this time point information is also stored in the
storage device 21. The controller 20 also reads in the value
measured by the hour meter 23 at a predetermined timing, and stores
it in the storage device 21.
[0031] The controller 20 sends a command to the transmitter 30 at a
predetermined timing, such as at a set time point, or at intervals
of a fixed number of hours, or when the engine is stopped or when
it is started or the like, and wirelessly transmits the traveling
hours, the pivoting hours, the front operating hours, and the time
points when the key switch was turned ON and so on to the satellite
CS along with position information and transmission time and date
information. This information that has been transmitted from the
transmitter 30 is received by the base station BC via the
communication satellite CS. A receiver 35 is also connected to the
controller 20. This receiver 35 receives information transmitted
from the base station BC via the communication satellite CS, and
sends it to the controller 20. Even when the main switch of the
hydraulic excavator is OFF, the controller 20, the transmitter 30,
and the receiver 35 are always kept in a state in which they are
capable of communication by supply of power from an onboard battery
(not shown in the figures).
[0032] The information described above indicating the states of
various portions of the hydraulic excavator and specifying its
operational state is normally transmitted from the hydraulic
excavator to the service center SS once a day as a daily report,
for example in a time band that is late at night. Moreover,
information indicating an alarm or a fault or the like is
transmitted from the hydraulic excavator to the service center SS
as soon as it is detected. Furthermore, if the remaining amount of
fuel has become a predetermined value or less, then the fact is
transmitted from the hydraulic excavator to the service center SS
immediately.
[0033] The controller 20 is, for example, adapted to issue an alarm
in the following circumstances: if the engine oil level is not at a
predetermined level; if the engine cooling water temperature is not
a predetermined temperature; if the engine oil temperature is not a
predetermined temperature; if clogging of the air filter has
occurred; if clogging of the hydraulic filter has occurred; if the
battery voltage is not a predetermined voltage; if the engine oil
pressure is not a predetermined pressure; if the remaining fuel
amount is not up to a predetermined amount; or if the hydraulic
fluid temperature is not a predetermined temperature.
[0034] Moreover, the controller 20 determines that a fault has
occurred in the following circumstances: if the engine rotational
speed is greater than an anomaly decision threshold value; or if
the hydraulic pump discharge pressure is greater than an anomaly
decision threshold value.
<The Base Station BC>
[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of the base station BC. The base station BC comprises a
receiver 31 that receives radio waves transmitted and arriving from
the communication satellite CS and that reconstructs the
information transmitted from the hydraulic excavators (i.e. their
operational information), a storage device 32 that temporarily
stores the information reconstructed by the receiver 31, a modem 33
for transmitting this reconstructed information to the service
center SS via a public circuit network PC, and a control device 34
that controls these various devices.
<The Analysis Server AS>
[0036] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of the analysis server AS provided to the service center
SS. This analysis server AS comprises a modem 41 that receives a
signal sent from the base station BC via the public circuit network
PC, a storage device 42 that stores the signal received by the
modem 41, a processing device 43 that performs calculation
processing of various types, a display device 44 that is connected
to the processing device 43, a keyboard 46, and a database 47.
[0037] As well as storing the received signal described above, the
storage device 42 stores past maintenance information (inspection
history, repair history, and maintenance cost) for each of the
hydraulic excavators. The maintenance cost, for example, may be
expressed by sales of expendables and of exchange components. This
maintenance information is sent via the public circuit network PC
described above via the responsible companies, on the basis of the
maintenance record made by the company responsible for selling each
of the hydraulic excavators to a client (or that is in charge of
executing a leasing contract). Instead of the responsible company,
or in addition to the responsible company, it would be possible to
arrange to classify the maintenance information by responsible
branch office, by responsible sales outlet, or by responsible
section.
[0038] On the basis of the information stored in the storage device
42, in other words on the basis of the information collected from
the hydraulic excavators and the maintenance information collected
from the responsible companies, the processing device 43 displays
the management screen described above upon the display device
44.
<Structure of the Database>
[0039] FIG. 6 is a figure for explanation of an example of the
database 47. The processing device 43 performs formatting according
to a predetermined pattern upon the operational information
collected from the hydraulic excavators and upon the maintenance
information collected from the responsible companies, and stores
the results in the database 47.
[0040] As items of hydraulic operational information, sequential
numbers for identifying the hydraulic excavators (serial numbers),
location information for the hydraulic excavators, IDs of the
hydraulic excavators (vehicles), hour information from the hour
meters of the hydraulic excavators, the maintenance costs generated
by the hydraulic excavators, (including information about exchange
components), and the cumulative number of warnings issued in
respect of the hydraulic excavators, are collected together in the
database 47.
[0041] Since date information is included in the information
transmitted from the hydraulic excavators, accordingly the database
47 described above is set up so that the information therein can be
searched by date. Due to this, when the week selection slider 18
(FIG. 2) described above is operated, information for the indicated
week (information over seven days) is read out from the database 47
as appropriate. It should be understood that, while date
information is attached to the information transmitted from the
hydraulic excavators, it would also be acceptable for such date
information not to be attached, but for the date and time of
reception to be attached to this information when the information
transmitted from the hydraulic excavators is received by the base
station BC.
[0042] Moreover, the number of warnings is formatted so as to be
read out according to the cause for which the warnings were issued.
Due to this, for example, it is also possible to search for
warnings that were issued for the reason of overheating (when the
engine cooling water temperature was not a predetermined
temperature), or for warnings that were issued for the reason of
filter clogging.
<Explanation of the Management Screen>
[0043] By actuating the keyboard 46 of the analysis server AS or a
mouse not shown in the figures, the manager of the service center
SS can change the scale of the map 101 shown by way of example in
FIG. 2, or can scroll it. As described above, the processing device
43 displays the symbols 103 through 107 that indicate the locations
of the hydraulic excavators as superimposed over and combined with
the map 101. Here, if a plurality of hydraulic excavators are
operating in the same workplace, then, depending upon the scale of
the map, a situation may occur in which the display positions of
the symbols 103 through 107 are overlapped. In this case, for
example, the processing device 43 may provide the combined display
with the value of the hours information on the hour meter of that
hydraulic excavator that is largest being superimposed on top. It
should be understood that it would also be acceptable to arrange to
provide a structure in which it is possible to change over the
combined display so that the excavator whose maintenance cost is
the largest is superimposed on top, or so that the excavator whose
vehicle class is the largest is superimposed on top, or so that the
excavator whose responsible company is a specified one is
superimposed on top.
[0044] By actuating the keyboard 46 and/or the mouse (not shown in
the figures), the manager can restrict the display according to any
desired item in the restriction tool window 102. By doing this, it
is possible to display the operational states upon the map 101 by
year, to display the operational states upon the map 101 by the
classes of the hydraulic excavators (vehicles), to designate an
area upon the map 101 for display, to display the operational
states upon the map 101 by responsible company, or to display the
operational states upon the map 101 by hydraulic excavator type. By
limiting the display only to symbols that correspond to some
condition, it is possible, in a manner that is easy to understand,
to display the symbols 103 through 107 that are superimposed upon
and combined with the map 101 only to those that correspond to
vehicles that agree with that condition.
[0045] It should be understood that, as an item for restriction, it
would be acceptable to perform restriction according to the number
of times that alarms have been generated, and to display the
operational states of the hydraulic excavators upon the map 101
using symbols that vary according to the numbers of times that
alarms have been generated. Moreover, it would also be acceptable
to arrange to display the operational states of the hydraulic
excavators upon the map 101 while separating them according to the
causes of these alarms, such as the overheating or filter clogging
or the like described above.
[0046] Moreover, it would also be possible to perform restriction
related to the maintenance cost, and to display the operational
states of the hydraulic excavators upon the map 101 with different
symbols according to the amounts (bands or ranges) of money spent
on them. Furthermore, it would also be acceptable to display the
operational states of the hydraulic excavators upon the map 101
according to the components that have been exchanged.
[0047] For each year, by actuating the slider, it is also possible
to vary the display of operational information by changing it in
units of weeks. When the week selection slider 108 is, for example,
actuated by being dragged with the mouse (not shown in the figures)
from the twentieth week to the thirtieth week, then the operational
information is sequentially displayed upon the map 101 one week at
a time. Since, by doing this, the positions of the symbols 103
through 107 gradually shift over the map as the weeks pass,
accordingly it is possible to display changes of the positions in
which the hydraulic excavators were being used, or at what timings
in the year (i.e. during which weeks) the operating hours were high
(or were low), visually in a way that is easy to understand.
Moreover, it is also possible to display in which areas and at what
timings (i.e. in which weeks) the number of warnings issued was
high, in a way that is easy to understand.
[0048] The correspondence relationship between the different
display formats for the symbols 103 through 107 and the operating
hours is displayed in a window 112 as a legend. And the number of
hydraulic excavators (vehicles) corresponding to each operating
hours band is displayed in a window 111. When, by actuating the
mouse not shown in the figures, the manager clicks upon the display
of operating hours bands in the window 111, it is also possible to
perform limitation of the symbols 103 through 107 that are
superimposed upon and combined with the map 101, so that only those
symbols that indicate the corresponding operating hours band are
displayed.
[0049] An analysis display button 113 is provided upon the map
screen that is shown by way of example in FIG. 2. When the manager
clicks upon this analysis display button 113 by actuating the mouse
(not shown in the figures), then, instead of the map screen of FIG.
2, the processing device 43 displays an analysis screen like that
shown by way of example in FIG. 7 upon the display device 44. FIG.
7 is a figure showing an example of this analysis screen indicating
the operational states of the hydraulic excavators. In FIG. 7,
there are displayed: an "overall display" showing the distribution
of operating hours for all the hydraulic excavators operating
during some one year period; a "display by area" that shows the
distribution of operating hours for those hydraulic excavators,
among all the hydraulic excavators, that are operating in "area C";
a "display by machine type (excavator type)" that shows the
distribution of operating hours for those hydraulic excavators,
among all the hydraulic excavators, that correspond to a
predetermined machine type "ZX####"; and a "display by vehicle"
that shows various items of information for each of the hydraulic
excavators corresponding to the predetermined machine type
"ZX####".
[0050] With "display by area" and "display by machine type", by
providing a display of a distribution graph of all the hydraulic
excavators superimposed and combined upon a background, it becomes
simple and easy to investigate whether or not there is any
disparity of the center of distribution in that area as compared
with the center of the distribution of all the hydraulic
excavators, and to analyze whether or not there is any disparity
between the center of distribution for that machine type as
compared to the center of distribution of all the hydraulic
excavators.
[0051] According to this embodiment, it is possible to supply
precise services for the construction vehicles, such as
ascertaining an area in which, as compared to all the hydraulic
excavators, a lot of vehicles are concentrated whose operating
hours are high, increasing the strength of the service personnel in
that area, dispatching service personnel as a priority to a
location in which vehicles with high operating hours are
concentrated, and so on. It should be understood that, in the state
in which the map screen of FIG. 2 is displayed, the processing
device 43 may also be caused to display an analysis screen such as
that shown by way of example in FIG. 7 upon the display device 44,
by the manager clicking upon any one of the symbols 103 through 107
by actuation of the mouse. In this case, only the hydraulic
excavator (vehicle) corresponding to the symbol that has been
clicked is displayed in the field of display by vehicle.
[0052] A map display button 114 is provided upon the analysis
screen shown by way of example in FIG. 7. When the manager clicks
upon this map display button 114 by actuating a mouse (not shown in
the figures), the processing device 43 displays the map screen
shown by way of example in FIG. 2 upon the display device 44,
instead of the analysis screen of FIG. 7.
<Processing Executed by the Analysis Server AS>
[0053] The flow of processing executed by the processing device 43
of the analysis server explained above will now be explained with
reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9. When the processing
device 43 (refer to FIG. 5) starts, it reads in a control program
that has been stored in advance on a storage medium not shown in
the figures (for example, in a storage device), and repeatedly
executes the processing of FIG. 8.
[0054] In step S1 of FIG. 8, the processing device 43 makes a
decision as to whether or not there is any information newly
received from a hydraulic excavator. If new received information is
present, then the processing device 43 reaches an affirmative
decision in step S1 and the flow of control proceeds to step S2,
whereas if no new received information is present, then a negative
decision is reached in step S1 and the flow of control is
transferred to step S3.
[0055] In step S2, the processing device 43 updates the database 47
on the basis of this new received information, and then the flow of
control proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the processing device 43
makes a decision as to whether or not analysis actuation has been
performed. If actuation for starting analysis processing has been
performed by the manager by actuating the keyboard 46 or the mouse
(not shown in the figures), then the processing device 43 reaches
an affirmative decision in step S3 and the flow of control proceeds
to step S4. But if no actuation for starting analysis processing
has been performed, then the processing device reaches a negative
decision in step S3, and the flow of control returns to step
S1.
[0056] In step S4, the processing device 43 starts analysis
processing that will be described hereinafter, and returns to step
S1 after having executed that analysis processing. When returning
to step S1, the processing described above is repeated.
[0057] The details of the analysis processing will now be explained
with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9. In step S11 of FIG. 9,
the processing device 43 performs initial setting of the
restriction conditions. In this initial setting, the area to be
displayed upon the map screen shown by way of example in FIG. 2 is
set, the company responsible for the hydraulic excavators to be
displayed is set, the class of hydraulic excavator (vehicle) to be
displayed is set, the type (machine type) of the hydraulic
excavators to be displayed is set, the year to be displayed is set,
and the number of alarms for the hydraulic excavators to be
displayed is set. The processing device 43 reads out from the
storage device not shown in the figures the restriction conditions
that were set by restriction operation the previous time that this
program was run, and makes the initial settings described above. It
should be understood that, if no previous restriction conditions
are available, then specification for all of the hydraulic
excavators is performed, in order for them all to be displayed.
[0058] In step S12, the processing device 43 searches the database
47 on the basis of the restriction conditions described above, and
then the flow of control proceeds to step S13. In step S13, on the
basis of the data that have been obtained by the search, the
processing device 43 displays a map screen such as that shown by
way of example in FIG. 2 upon the display device 44, and then the
flow of control proceeds to step S14.
[0059] In step S14, the processing device 43 makes a decision as to
whether or not restriction actuation has been performed. If an
actuation signal has been inputted from the keyboard 46 or from the
mouse (not shown in the figures) using the restriction tool window
102 described above, then the processing device 43 reaches an
affirmative decision in step S14 and the flow of control proceeds
to step S15. But if no such actuation signal has been inputted from
the keyboard 46 or from the mouse (not shown in the figures), then
the processing device 43 reaches a negative decision in step S14
and the flow of control is transferred to step S22.
[0060] In step S15, the processing device 43 searches the database
again on the basis of the restriction conditions, and then the flow
of control proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the processing device
43 updates the display upon the map screen on the basis of the data
obtained after having searched again, and then the flow of control
proceeds to step S17.
[0061] In step S17, the processing device 43 makes a decision as to
whether or not a command has been issued for display of an analysis
screen. If the analysis display button 113 (refer to FIG. 2) has
been clicked by actuation of the mouse, or if one of the symbols
103 through 107 (refer to FIG. 2) upon the map 101 has been
clicked, then the processing device 43 reaches an affirmative
decision in step S17, and the flow of control proceeds to step S18.
But if neither the analysis display button 113 (refer to FIG. 2)
nor any one of the symbols 103 through 107 (refer to FIG. 2) upon
the map 101 has been clicked, then the processing device 43 reaches
a negative decision in step S17, and the flow of control returns to
step S13.
[0062] In step S18, the processing device 43 displays an analysis
screen such as that shown as an example in FIG. 7, and then the
flow of control proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the processing
device 43 makes a decision as to whether or not actuation for
returning to the map screen has been performed. If the map display
button 114 (refer to FIG. 7) has been clicked by actuation of the
mouse, then the processing device 43 reaches an affirmative
decision in this step S19, and the flow of control returns to step
S13 and a map screen like the one shown by way of example in FIG. 2
is again displayed upon the display device 44. On the other hand,
if the map display button 114 (refer to FIG. 7) has not been
clicked, then the processing device 43 reaches a negative decision
in this step S19, and the flow of control returns to step S18. If
the flow of control returns to step S18, then display of the
analysis screen is continued.
[0063] In step S22 to which control proceeds in the case of a
negative decision in step S14 described above, the processing
device 43 makes a decision as to whether or not actuation to change
the scale has been performed. If actuation to change the scale has
been performed, then the processing device 43 reaches an
affirmative decision in step S22, and the flow of control proceeds
to step S23. But if actuation to change the scale has not been
performed, then the processing device 43 reaches a negative
decision in step S22, and the flow of control is transferred to
step S20.
[0064] In step S23, the processing device 43 sets the new scale,
and then the flow of control returns to step S13, and a map screen
after the change of scale is displayed upon the display device 44.
And in the step S20 to which control proceeds in the case of a
negative decision in step S22, the processing device 43 makes a
decision as to whether or not termination actuation has been
performed. If an actuation signal commanding termination has been
inputted from the keyboard 46, then the processing device 43
reaches an affirmative decision in step S20, and the flow of
control is transferred to step S21. But if no such actuation signal
commanding termination has been inputted from the keyboard 46, then
the processing device 43 reaches a negative decision in step S20,
and the flow of control is transferred to step S13. When the flow
of control returns to step S13, the processing described above is
repeated.
[0065] In step S23, the processing device 43 stores the restriction
conditions that have been set in the storage device not shown in
the figures, and then the processing of FIG. 9 terminates. These
restriction conditions that are stored are used during the initial
setting the next time that processing is executed.
[0066] According to the embodiment explained above, the following
operations and beneficial effects are obtained.
[0067] (1) Since this construction machine management system
includes the modem 41 that acquires operational information
specifying the position and the operational state of each of a
plurality of construction machines, the processing device 43 that,
on the basis of the operational information received by the modem
41, superimposes and combines upon the map 101 the symbols 103
through 107 showing the positions of each of the construction
machines, the processing device 43 that displays upon the display
device 44 a map image that has been superimposed and combined by
the processing device 43, and the processing device 43 that changes
the display formats of the symbols 103 through 107 according to the
operational states, accordingly it is possible to display the
information required for services to each of the vehicles in a
manner that is easy to understand. Doing this is very helpful for
supplying precise services to each individual vehicle.
[0068] (2) Since, with the construction machine management system
described in (1) above, the operational information includes at
least operating hours and maintenance costs, and it is arranged for
the processing device 43 to change the display formats of the
symbols 103 through 107 according to the operating hours or the
maintenance costs, accordingly, by displaying those vehicles that
have high operating hours and that need inspection in a manner that
is easy to distinguish, or by displaying those vehicles whose
maintenance costs are high in a manner that is easy to distinguish,
this is helpful for supplying precise services to those vehicles,
such as the dispatch of service personnel or the like.
[0069] (3) Since, with the construction machine management system
described in (2) above, there is included the processing device 43
that restricts the corresponding construction machines to a
predetermined hour band among the operating hours, or to
predetermined costs among the maintenance costs, and since the
processing device 43 superimposes and combines upon the map 101
only symbols 103 through 107 indicating those construction machines
to which restriction has been made, accordingly it is possible to
display this information for only those vehicles that match the
conditions, in a manner that is easy to understand.
[0070] (4) Since, with the construction machine management system
described in (3) above, the operational information further
includes information specifying the types of the construction
machines, the empty weights of the construction machines, the
entities in charge of maintenance of the construction machines, the
operating times of the construction machines, the areas in which
the construction machines are located, and the number of warnings
issued from the construction machines, since the processing device
43 restricts the corresponding construction machines on the basis
of at least one of the types of information described above, and
since the processing device 43 further superimposes and combines
upon the map 101, only symbols 103 through 107 indicating those
construction machines to which restriction has been made,
accordingly it is possible to display this information for only
those vehicles that match the conditions, in a manner that is easy
to understand.
[0071] (5) Since, with the construction machine management system
described in any of (1) through (4) above, the processing unit 43
superimposes and combines, over other symbols, symbols indicating
construction machines for which the values denoting the operational
states are greater, accordingly this is helpful for supplying
precise services to those vehicles, such as the dispatch of service
personnel as a priority or the like.
Variant Embodiment #1
[0072] While, in the explanation given above, an example was
explained in which the operational information was collected from
the hydraulic excavators to the analysis server AS of the service
center SS, it would also be acceptable to arrange to provide the
management server separately from the analysis server AS, and to
collect the operational information from the hydraulic excavators
to this management server. In the case of a first variant
embodiment, at the time point that the analysis processing is
started, the analysis server AS acquires information of the
hydraulic excavators from an appropriate management server (for
example during initial setting), and performs display of the
management screen described above (i.e. the map screen of FIG. 2 or
the analysis screen of FIG. 7). It should be understood that it
would also be acceptable to provide a management server for each of
a plurality of areas. In this case in which a management server is
provided for each area, it would be possible for the analysis
server AS to acquire the necessary information from the management
server of an area that has become a subject of restriction.
Variant Embodiment #2
[0073] While, in the embodiment described above, the service center
SS and the base station BC were provided separately, it would also
be possible to provide these as one integrated structure.
Variant Embodiment #3
[0074] While, in the embodiment described above, hydraulic
excavators were explained by way of example as representatives of
construction machinery, the management system described above could
also be applied to management of industrial vehicles such as
loading shovels, large sized dump trucks, wheel loaders, or the
like.
[0075] The above explanation only relates to one particular
example; the present invention is not to be considered as being
limited by the structure of the embodiment described above in any
way. Other modes of realization that are considered to fall within
the range of the technical concept of the present invention are
also included within the range of the present invention.
[0076] The content of the disclosure of the following application,
upon which priority is claimed, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference: Japanese Patent Application 2012-108411 (filed on May
10, 2012).
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0077] 42: storage device [0078] 43: processing device [0079] 44:
display device [0080] 46: keyboard [0081] 47: database [0082] 101:
map [0083] 102: restriction tool window [0084] 103 through 107:
symbols [0085] 108: week selection slide [0086] 109: number of
operating units window [0087] 110: average operating hours window
[0088] a1 through a3, b1 through b3, c1 through c3: hydraulic
excavators [0089] AS: analysis server [0090] BC: base station
[0091] CS: communication satellite [0092] SS: service center
* * * * *