WO2026004029A1 - Operation information management system for work machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention improves communication efficiency for managing operation information in a work machine. This operation information management system (100) for a work machine (10) comprises: an information processing device (1) that acquires a plurality of pieces of operation information (14) output to a first network (8) established in a work machine and causes a storage device (2) to store the acquired pieces of information; and a communication control device (3) that transmits the operation information stored in the storage device to a management device (5). The communication control device generates time band information (17) indicating a prescribed time band, associates the time band information with a plurality of pieces of the operation information, read from the storage device, corresponding to the prescribed time band, and transmits the associated time band information and the plurality of pieces of operation information to the management device.

Description

Machine operation information management system

The present invention relates to a work machine operation information management system that manages operation information of at least one of a work machine and an electronic device mounted on the work machine.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for collecting operation information on work machines. The data collection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is connected to the work machine's on-board network and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires data such as operation information of the work machine or electronic device on a group basis that is output from an electronic device mounted on the work machine to the on-board network; a second acquisition unit that separates the group-based data acquired by the first acquisition unit into individual-based data and acquires it; and an input/output unit that outputs the group-based data acquired by the first acquisition unit and the individual-based data acquired by the second acquisition unit to the outside.

Japanese Patent Publication "Patent No. 6148159"

Conventionally, to make operational information about work machines available for use, the information is transmitted from a data collection device to a management device such as a server, where it is managed (stored). In this case, to reduce the number of communications, multiple pieces of operational information are transmitted in bulk from the data collection device to the server. Furthermore, to ensure the reliability and management of the operational information, each piece of operational information is associated with time information, such as a timestamp indicating the date and time the existence of that piece of operational information was confirmed, and these pieces of operational information and multiple pieces of time information are transmitted from the data collection device to the server. However, in this case, the amount of data transmitted from the data collection device to the management device increases, which leads to problems such as longer communication times and higher communication costs, making this method inefficient.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to improve communication efficiency for managing operation information in work machines.

The technical means of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is characterized by the following points:

The work machine operation information management system of the present invention comprises an information processing device that acquires multiple pieces of operation information output to a first network established in the work machine and stores them in a storage device, and a communication control device that transmits the operation information stored in the storage device to a management device. The communication control device generates time zone information indicating a specified time zone, associates the time zone information with multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to the specified time zone read from the storage device, and transmits the associated time zone information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the communication control device may generate the time zone information for each of the predetermined time zones, associate multiple pieces of operation information with the time zone information, and transmit the associated time zone information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the information processing device may acquire the operation information of at least one of the work machine and the electronic device output to the first network from an electronic device mounted on the work machine, associate the operation information with time information indicating the time when the existence of the operation information was confirmed, and store the associated operation information in the storage device, and the communication control device may transmit the associated time zone information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device via a second network external to the work machine.

In one aspect of the present invention, the communication control device may generate lower-level time information indicating times that are included in the specified time period but are not indicated by the specified time period, based on the time information corresponding to each of the multiple pieces of operation information for the specified time period, associate the lower-level time information with each of the corresponding multiple pieces of operation information, and transmit the corresponding time period information, the multiple pieces of operation information, and the lower-level time information to the management device.

In another aspect of the present invention, the work machine operation information management system may include one or more of the electronic devices, and at least one of the electronic devices and the information processing device may generate the time information and associate it with the operation information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the communication control device may set the predetermined time period in accordance with an event that occurs in the work machine, generate time period information indicating the predetermined time period, read from the storage device multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to the predetermined time period related to the event, associate them with the time period information, and transmit the associated time period information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device.

Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, the work machine operation information management system includes the management device, which is provided outside the work machine and has a database built in it, and the management device receives the time zone information, multiple pieces of operation information, and multiple pieces of lower-level time information transmitted in a correlated state by the communication control device, stores at least the multiple pieces of operation information in the database, and restores the time information of each of the correlated pieces of operation information based on the correlated time zone information and multiple pieces of lower-level time information.

This invention makes it possible to improve communication efficiency for managing operational information in work machines.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a work machine operation information management system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a plurality of records stored in a storage device. FIG. 10 is a data structure diagram of a time stamp. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the work machine operation information management system. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message transmitted from a communication control device to a management device. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the work machine operation information management system. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a message transmitted from the communication control device to the management device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message stored in a database of a management device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a message stored in the database of the management device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message read out from a database of a management device. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the work machine operation information management system.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience, identical and corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a work machine operation information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The work machine operation information management system (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "operation information management system") 100 comprises an information processing device 1, a storage device 2, a communication control device 3, an electronic device 4, and a management device 5. The information processing device 1, the storage device 2, the communication control device 3, and the electronic device 4 are mounted on the work machine 10. The management device 5 is provided external to the work machine 10.

The work machine 10 is a drivable work vehicle, such as an agricultural machine such as a tractor, rice transplanter, or combine harvester, or a construction machine such as an excavator. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1, storage device 2, and communication control device 3 are mounted on the work machine 10, but in other examples, the information processing device 1, storage device 2, and communication control device 3 may not be mounted on the work machine 10, or may be detachable from the work machine 10. The management device 5 is, for example, a cloud server existing in a cloud environment. As another example, the management device 5 may be an on-premise physical server installed in a specified facility.

The work machine 10 has an in-vehicle network 8, such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or FlexRay. The in-vehicle network 8 is an example of the "first network" of the present invention. The information processing device 1 and electronic device 4 are connected to the in-vehicle network 8. The storage device 2 and communication control device 3 may also be connected to the in-vehicle network 8.

The electronic device 4 is an electrical component of the work machine 10, and is composed of at least one of, for example, a sensor, a switch, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). As another example, the electronic device 4 may be composed of an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) or a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The ECU and MPU include a CPU and memory. The electronic device 4 outputs records containing operating information of at least one of the work machine 10, the electronic device 4 itself, and other electronic devices 4 to the in-vehicle network 8 at any time. Note that in the example of Figure 1, multiple electronic devices 4 are installed on the work machine 10, but it is sufficient that the work machine 10 is equipped with one or more electronic devices 4 that output records.

The information processing device 1 is composed of, for example, an ECU, and controls the operation of the work machine 10 to drive and perform work. As another example, the information processing device 1 may be composed of an MPU or a computer. The information processing device 1 may also be composed of a fixed terminal device or a portable terminal device such as a tablet device. The information processing device 1 is the main controller of the work machine 10, and includes a CPU, memory, etc. The information processing device 1 acquires (receives) multiple records (operation information) output from the electronic device 4 to the in-vehicle network 8.

The storage device 2 is composed of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Software programs and data for controlling the operation of the work machine 10 are pre-stored in the storage device 2. The storage device 2 also stores multiple records acquired by the information processing device 1.

The communication control device 3 is composed of, for example, a DCU (Domain Control Unit) and includes a CPU, memory, input/output interface, etc. As another example, the communication control device 3 may be composed of an ECU or a computer, etc. The communication control device 3 may also be composed of a fixed or portable terminal device. The communication control device 3 communicates wirelessly with the management device 5 via the input/output interface over a public network 9 established outside the work machine 10. The communication control device 3 also transmits operation information stored in the storage device 2 to the management device 5 over the public network 9.

The public network 9 includes the Internet and a mobile phone communication network (reference numerals omitted). The public network 9 is an example of the "second network" of the present invention. As another example, the communication control device 3 and management device 5 may communicate via at least one of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) that conforms to the IEEE 802.11 series of communication standards.

A database 6 has been constructed in the management device 5. The database 6 stores information related to the work plan, work content, and work location of the work machine 10. The management device 5 also receives records containing operation information for at least one of the work machine 10 and the electronic device 4 from the communication control device 3 via the public network 9 and manages the received operation information by storing it in the database 6. The management device 5 can be accessed not only by the communication control device 3, but also by a terminal device external to the work machine 10 (hereinafter referred to as an "external terminal device"). The external terminal device receives the various information stored in the database 6 of the management device 5 and uses that information.

FIG. 2 shows multiple records 14 stored in the storage device 2 by the information processing device 1. Each record 14 contains operation information for at least one of the work machine 10 and the electronic device 4. The operation information for the work machine 10 includes, for example, work machine information such as the vehicle speed, position, operating state, work status, and driving status of the work machine 10.

Furthermore, the operation information of at least one of the work machine 10 and the electronic device 4 may include the rotation speed of a prime mover such as an engine or electric motor provided in the work machine 10, the remaining amount of fuel, the remaining power level of the battery, the operating status of the work device (implement or attachment), the operating status of the hydraulic equipment, etc. Furthermore, the operation information of at least one of the work machine 10 and the electronic device 4 may also include the oil pressure and temperature of the hydraulic oil that operates the hydraulic equipment of the work machine 10, the operating status of the cooling device that cools the hydraulic equipment, etc., the temperature of the cooling water that cools the electrical equipment, etc., images captured by a camera, detection results from an object sensor, and information on electrical equipment such as the presence or absence of errors in each part.

The electronic device 4 generates records 14 at a predetermined timing or at a predetermined cycle and outputs them to the in-vehicle network 8. The information processing device 1 collects the records 14 by acquiring the records 14 output to the in-vehicle network 8 as needed and storing them in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 2 as needed. In other words, the storage device 2 stores multiple records 14.

The records 14 stored in the storage device 2 are associated with timestamps 15 consisting of multiple bytes of data that indicate the date and time when the existence of the record 14 was confirmed using a multi-digit number. For example, if the electronic device 4 has a processor, the processor may determine the date and time when the record 14 was generated or the date and time immediately before the record 14 was output as the date and time when the existence of the record 14 was confirmed. The processor may then generate a timestamp 15 indicating the determined date and time, associate the timestamp 15 with the record 14, and output the record 14 and timestamp 15 to the in-vehicle network 8.

Alternatively, the information processing device 1 may determine the date and time when the record 14 was acquired as the date and time when the existence of the record 14 was confirmed. The information processing device 1 may then generate a timestamp 15 indicating the determined date and time, associate the timestamp 15 with the record 14, and store the record 14 and the timestamp 15 in the storage device 2.

The operation information management system 100 includes an electronic device 4 or information processing device 1 that has a processor that generates a timestamp 15 as described above and associates the timestamp 15 with a record 14. The timestamp 15 is an example of the "time information" of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a data structure diagram of a timestamp 15. The timestamp 15 is composed of multi-byte data that indicates, as a multi-digit number, the date and time when the existence of the record 14 associated with the timestamp 15 was confirmed. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the timestamp 15 is 5-byte (= 40-bit) data that indicates the year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and fractional second units when the existence of the record 14 was confirmed. The smallest unit of fractional seconds indicated by the timestamp 15 is 10 milliseconds. For example, a counter that measures time in 10 millisecond increments is provided in the electronic device 4 or information processing device 1, and the count value of the counter when the existence of the record 14 was confirmed is indicated in the timestamp 15.

More specifically, timestamp 15 represents UNIX (registered trademark) time in 10-millisecond increments as a binary number. In other words, timestamp 15 uses "January 1, 1970, 00:00:00:00 milliseconds" (Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)) as the reference point, converts the elapsed time from this reference point into a 41-digit binary number, and then omits the lowest digit to represent the 40-digit number.

For example, the 40-digit (40-bit) number (binary number) of timestamp 15 shown in Figure 3, "1100000101000010101000011111101101000000", when converted to UNIX (registered trademark) time (decimal number) after adding a "0" to the omitted last digit, becomes "1660093200000", and when further converted to date and time, becomes "August 10, 2022 10:00:00:00 ms". For example, after another 10 milliseconds have passed, at "August 10, 2022, 10:00:00:010 milliseconds," the UNIX (registered trademark) time (decimal number) will be "1660093200010," and the time indicated by the timestamp 15 (binary number) will be "1100000101000010101000011111101101000101."

Of the 5 bytes of data in timestamp 15, the data in the 1st through 7th bits of the 1st byte from the lowest order (right side in Figure 3) indicates a value equivalent to "milliseconds." The data in the 7th and 8th bits of the 1st byte from the lowest order and the 1st through 5th bits of the 2nd byte from the lowest order indicate a value equivalent to "seconds." The data in the 5th through 8th bits of the 2nd byte from the lowest order and the 1st through 3rd bits of the 3rd byte from the lowest order indicate a value equivalent to "minutes." The data in the 3rd through 8th bits of the 3rd byte from the lowest order and the 1st bit of the 4th byte from the lowest order indicate a value equivalent to "hours." The data in the 1st through 4th bits of the 4th byte from the lowest order indicate a value equivalent to "day." The data in the 4th through 8th bits of the 4th byte from the lowest order indicate a value equivalent to "month."

The data in the eighth bit of the fourth byte from the lowest order of timestamp 15 and the first eighth bits of the fifth byte from the lowest order of timestamp 15 indicate a value corresponding to the year. Of these, the eight bits of data in the fifth byte from the lowest order of timestamp 15 are incremented (increased) every time a predetermined period of time (approximately 497 days, or more specifically, 497 days + 15 minutes) has passed.

In other words, the eight bits of data in the first byte from the most significant side of the timestamp 15 (left side in Figure 3) are not incremented (counted up) and show a constant value if the elapsed time is less than approximately 497 days. The data in the 1st to 4th bytes from the least significant side of the timestamp 15 can be incremented even if the elapsed time is less than approximately 497 days. The interval or cycle (e.g., 1 second) at which the information processing device 1 acquires the record 14 from the electronic device 4 is shorter than the predetermined period at which the data in the 1st and 2nd bytes from the most significant side of the timestamp 15 is incremented.

The communication control device 3 reads out from the multiple records 14 (operation information of the work machine 10 or electronic device 4) stored in the storage device 2 multiple records 14 associated with timestamps 15 (time information) indicating times falling within a specific time period (e.g., 10 minutes). The communication control device 3 also generates time period information indicating the specific time period based on the multiple timestamps 15 associated with the multiple records 14. The communication control device 3 then associates the multiple records 14 for the specific time period read from the storage device 2 with the time period information, generates a message including the associated time period information and multiple records 14, and sends the message to the management device 5.

As described above, the communication control device 3 transmits time zone information and multiple records 14 associated with each predetermined time zone (e.g., 10 minutes) to the management device 5. The time interval (transmission period, e.g., 10 minutes) at which the communication control device 3 transmits messages to the management device 5 is longer than the time interval (acquisition period, e.g., 1 second) at which the information processing device 1 acquires the records 14, and is shorter than the predetermined period during which 1 byte and 2 bytes of data are incremented from the upper side of the timestamp 15.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation information management system 100. The processes in FIG. 4 are executed by the CPUs provided in the information processing device 1 and the communication control device 3 in accordance with software programs stored in the internal memory or the storage device 2. The same applies to the processes in the flowcharts in FIGS. 6 and 11, which will be described later.

When the information processing device 1 acquires the record 14 output from the electronic device 4 to the in-vehicle network 8 (S1 in FIG. 4), it stores the record 14 in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 2 (S2). At this time, the information processing device 1 associates the timestamp 15 corresponding to the record 14 with the record 14 and stores it in the storage device 2. The process of acquiring the record 14 (S1) and the process of storing it (S2) are repeatedly executed by the information processing device 1.

The communication control device 3 waits for a predetermined transmission condition to be met for sending a message to the management device 5. The transmission condition includes the passage of a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) since the information processing device 1 and communication control device 3 were started or since the last time a message was sent. In addition to this, the transmission condition may also include at least one of the following, for example: the number of records 14 acquired or stored by the information processing device 1 has reached a predetermined number; a predetermined event that occurred on the work machine 10 has ended; and a signal requesting the sending of a message has been received from the management device 5.

Furthermore, events that occur in the work machine 10 may include the start of operation of the work machine 10, the stop of operation, the execution of a predetermined operation during operation, the start of work by the work machine 10, the end of work, the execution of a predetermined operation during work, and the occurrence of an error in the work machine 10 or in equipment of the work machine 10 (including electrical equipment such as the electronic device 4). The above-mentioned transmission conditions are examples and are not limiting.

By repeatedly executing steps S1 to S3 in Figure 4, multiple records 14 are stored in a specified storage area of the storage device 2, as shown in Figure 2. Each record 14 stored in the storage device 2 is associated with a timestamp 15.

When the transmission conditions are met (S3: YES in Figure 4), the communication control device 3 reads multiple records 14 (operation information) for a specified time period from the storage device 2 (S4). In more detail, the communication control device 3 identifies the specified time period as the time period from when the information processing device 1 and communication control device 3 are started up or from the time the last message was sent until a specified time has elapsed, and reads multiple records 14 each associated with multiple timestamps 15 indicating times included in that time period.

Next, the communication control device 3 generates time zone information 17 (Figure 5) indicating the specified time zone, and associates multiple records 14 for the specified time zone with the time zone information 17 (S5). At this time, for example, if the specified time zone is from "March 26, 2022, 10:00" to "March 26, 2022, 10:10," the communication control device 3 may generate time zone information 17 indicating the "year," "month," "day," "hour," and "minute," or may generate time zone information 17 indicating the "year," "month," "day," "hour," "minute," "second," and "millisecond," such as from "March 26, 2022, 10:00:00:00 milliseconds" to "March 26, 2022, 10:10:00:999 milliseconds."

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication control device 3 creates a message 16 including time zone information 17 and multiple records 14 associated with it (S6 in FIG. 4), and sends the message 16 to the management device 5 via the public network 9 (S7).

The communication control device 3 adds time zone information 17 to the beginning of the message 16, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. Furthermore, the communication control device 3 includes multiple records 14 for a specific time zone in the message 16 as described above, but does not include timestamps 15 corresponding to each of the multiple records 14 in the message 16. As another example, the communication control device 3 may include information in the message 16 indicating the order in which the existence of the multiple records 14 included in the message 16 was confirmed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication control device 3 may associate lower-level time information 18 with multiple records 14. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the communication control device 3 generates time zone information 17 indicating a specific time zone, associates multiple records 14 for the specific time zone with the time zone information 17 (S5), and then references multiple time stamps 15 corresponding to each of the multiple records 14. Then, based on the multiple time stamps 15, the communication control device 3 generates lower-level time information 18 indicating a time that is included in the specific time zone but is not indicated by the time zone information 17, and associates the lower-level time information 18 with the multiple records 14 (S8).

For example, consider a case where a specified time period is "March 26, 2022, 10:00" to "March 26, 2022, 10:10," and the times indicated by multiple timestamps 15 corresponding to multiple records 14 for the specified time period are "March 26, 2022, 10:01:11:011 milliseconds," "March 26, 2022, 10:03:40:555 milliseconds," ..., "March 26, 2022, 10:09:32:711 milliseconds," etc. In this case, for example, the communication control device 3 generates lower-level time information 18 from the multiple timestamps 15 to indicate the times "01 minute 11 seconds 011 milliseconds," "03 minutes 40 seconds 555 milliseconds," ..., "09 minutes 32 seconds 711 milliseconds," omitting the common higher-level time information "March 26, 2022, 10:00." The data capacity of this lower-level time information 18 is smaller than the data capacity of the timestamp 15 and the data capacity of the time zone information 17.

Then, the communication control device 3 creates a message 19 including the associated time zone information 17, multiple records 14, and multiple pieces of lower-level time information 18 (S9 in Figure 6), and sends this message 19 to the management device 5 (S7).

Note that if the specified time period is "March 26, 2022, 1:55 PM" to "March 26, 2022, 2:05 PM," and the time indicated by multiple timestamps 15 corresponding to multiple records 14 in the specified time period is "March 26, 2022, 1:57 PM, 10 seconds, 001 milliseconds," "March 26, 2022, 2:01 PM, 34 seconds, 554 milliseconds," ..., "March 26, 2022, 2:04 PM, 56 seconds, 998 milliseconds," etc., the value of the unit "hour" may change. In this case, the communication control device 3 may generate each piece of lower-level time information 18 from the multiple timestamps 15 to indicate the times "13:57:10:001 milliseconds," "14:01:34:554 milliseconds," ..., "14:04:56:998 milliseconds," omitting the common higher-level time information "March 26, 2022."

After a certain period of time has elapsed since messages 16 and 19 were sent, or when the communication control device 3 receives an answer signal from the management device 5 indicating that messages 16 and 19 have been received, the information processing device 1 (or communication control device 3) deletes the record 14 that is identical to the record 14 included in the sent messages 16 and 19 from a specified storage area in the storage device 2.

As described above, the communication control device 3 includes multiple records 14 in messages 16 and 19 for each specified time period and transmits them to the management device 5. The communication control device 3 may also use a specified storage area in its internal memory as a counter (timer) to monitor (measure) the passage of a specified time period.

The communication control device 3, for example, divides messages 16 and 19 into multiple packets and transmits the multiple packets to the management device 5 via the public network 9. The management device 5 receives the multiple packets of messages 16 and 19 via the public network 9, combines the multiple packets to restore messages 16 and 19, and stores the messages 16 and 19 in the database 6. In other words, the management device 5 manages multiple records 14 (operation information) based on the time zone information 17 included in messages 16 and 19.

Furthermore, when the management device 5 receives a message 19, it may restore the timestamps 15 corresponding to each of the multiple records 14 included in the message 19 based on the time zone information 17 and multiple lower-level time information 18 included in the message 19.

In more detail, for example, when the management device 5 receives a message 19 (Figure 7) sent from the communication control device 3, it reads the time zone information 17 and multiple pieces of lower-level time information 18 included in the message 19. Next, the management device 5 restores timestamps 15 corresponding to each of the multiple records 14 included in the received message 19 based on the time zone information 17 and multiple pieces of lower-level time information 18 that it has read. At this time, the management device 5 may, for example, combine the time zone information 17 with the multiple pieces of lower-level time information 18 to restore the corresponding timestamps 15.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the management device 5 stores in the database 6 a message 19 including multiple records 14, each associated with the restored timestamp 15. The management device 5 may also delete the time zone information 17 from the message 19. In other words, the management device 5 manages the multiple records 14 (operation information) included in the message 19 based on the restored timestamp 15.

As another example, the management device 5 may break up the message 19 into groups and store multiple records 14, each associated with a restored timestamp 15, in the database 6.

Furthermore, the management device 5 may not restore the timestamp 15 when storing the message 19 in the database 6, but may restore the timestamp 15 corresponding to the record 14 when reading the record 14 included in the message 19 stored in the database 6.

In more detail, for example, when the management device 5 receives a message 19 sent from the communication control device 3, it stores the message 19 as is in the database 6. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the management device 5 stores the message 19 in the database 6 in which time period information 17, multiple records 14, and multiple lower-level time information 18 are associated with each other.

Thereafter, when the management device 5 reads at least one record 14 from the database 6, it reads the time zone information 17 and multiple lower-level time information 18 associated with that record 14. Next, the management device 5 restores the timestamp 15 corresponding to the record 14 read from the database 6 based on the read time zone information 17 and multiple lower-level time information 18.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the management device 5 associates the restored timestamp 15 with the read record 14 and outputs it to, for example, an external terminal device (which may be the communication control device 3 of the work machine 10). In other words, when the management device 5 outputs the record 14 stored in the database 6 to the outside, it restores the timestamp 15 corresponding to that record 14.

As another example, when the management device 5 reads a message 19 containing multiple records 14 from the database 6, it may restore the timestamps 15 corresponding to each of the multiple records 14 contained in the message 19 and associate the timestamps 15 with the multiple records 14.

In the embodiment described above, when the transmission conditions are met, the communication control device 3 includes all of the multiple records 14 associated with the timestamps 15 corresponding to a specific time period in messages 16, 19 and transmits them to the management device 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the communication control device 3 may include multiple records 14 related to the same event that occurred on the work machine 10 in messages 16, 19 and transmit them to the management device 5.

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the operation information management system 100. After the information processing device 1 executes processes S1 and S2, if the communication control device 3 determines that the transmission condition is met, for example because a predetermined event that occurred on the work machine 10 has ended (S3: YES), it sets a predetermined time period corresponding to the event (S10). At this time, the communication control device 3 may set a predetermined time period for each event. Alternatively, the communication control device 3 may set the time from the start to the end of the event as the predetermined time period. Alternatively, the communication control device 3 may set the time from the start to the end of the event, divided into predetermined intervals, as the predetermined time period.

Next, the communication control device 3 reads out multiple records 14 relating to a specific event from the multiple records 14 for a specific time period stored in the storage device 2 (S11). Next, the communication control device 3 generates time period information 17 indicating the specific time period, and associates the multiple records 14 relating to the specific event that it has read out with the time period information 17 (S12). The communication control device 3 then creates a message 16 including the time period information 17 and the multiple records 14 associated with it (S6), and sends this message 16 to the management device 5 (S7).

As another example, instead of process S6 in FIG. 11, the communication control device 3 may generate lower-level time information 18 based on multiple timestamps 15 corresponding to multiple records 14, as in process S8 in FIG. 6, and associate the lower-level time information 18 with the multiple records 14. Then, as in process S9 in FIG. 6, the communication control device 3 may create a message 19 including the associated time zone information 17, multiple records 14, and multiple lower-level time information 18, and send the message 19 to the management device 5 (S7).

In the above-described embodiment, the reference point of the timestamp 15 is set to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, for example, the release date and time of the work machine 10 or the date and time of the first event occurring on the work machine 10 may be set as the reference point, and the number of milliseconds that have elapsed since that reference point may be indicated in the timestamp 15. Note that these are only examples of the date and time indicated by the timestamp 15, and the date and time indicated by the "timestamp" and "time information" in the present invention are not limited to the above.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which one each of the information processing device 1, storage device 2, and communication control device 3 was provided in the operation information management system 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple units of at least one of the information processing device 1, storage device 2, and communication control device 3 may be provided in the operation information management system 100. Also, multiple units of at least one of the management device 5 and the work machine 10 may be provided in the operation information management system 100. In this case, the identification information of the work machine 10 or electronic device 4 that generated the record 14 and the identification information of the communication control device 3 that generated the messages 16 and 19 may be included in the messages 16 and 19 and sent to the corresponding management device 5.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the information processing device 1 mounted on the work machine 10 acquires (receives) the record 14 from the electronic device 4 mounted on the work machine 10 via the in-vehicle network 8 established on the work machine 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the in-vehicle network 8, the information processing device 1 may acquire the record 14 from the electronic device 4 via an external network established outside the work machine 10.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the communication control device 3 sent messages 16 and 19 to the management device 5 via the public network 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the public network 9, the communication control device 3 may transfer messages 16 and 19 to the management device 5 via an external network established outside the work machine 10.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned external network may include, for example, a narrow area network such as a wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (World Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a wide area network such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network), Ethernet, an intranet, or the Internet, or a public communication network such as a mobile phone network.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the information processing device 1 and the communication control device 3 were configured separately, but the information processing device 1 and the communication control device 3 may also be configured as the same computer. Furthermore, the numerical values given as examples of the acquisition period of records 14 by the information processing device 1, the transmission period of messages 16 and 19 by the communication control device 3, and the specified time period are merely examples and are not limiting.

The work machine operation information management system 100 of this embodiment described above has the following configuration and provides the following effects.

(Item 1) The work machine operation information management system 100 includes an information processing device 1 that acquires multiple pieces of operation information (records 14) output to a first network (on-board network) 8 established in the work machine 10 and stores them in a storage device 2, and a communication control device 3 that transmits the operation information stored in the storage device 2 to a management device 5. The communication control device 3 generates time zone information 17 indicating a specific time zone, associates the time zone information 17 with multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to the specific time zone read from the storage device 2, and transmits the associated time zone information 17 and the multiple pieces of operation information to the management device 5.

According to the configuration of item 1 above, multiple pieces of operation information for a specific time period on the work machine 10 are associated with time period information 17 indicating the specific time period and transmitted from the communication control device 3 to the management device 5. Therefore, compared to transmitting multiple pieces of operation information and time information to the management device 5 while each piece of operation information is associated with time information such as a timestamp, the amount of data transmitted from the communication control device 3 to the management device 5 is reduced, communication time is shortened, and communication costs can be kept low. This makes it possible to improve communication efficiency for managing operation information on the work machine 10. Furthermore, the management device 5 can manage multiple pieces of operation information based on the time period information 17.

(Item 2) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in Item 1 above, the communication control device 3 generates time zone information 17 for each specified time zone, associates multiple pieces of operation information with the time zone information 17, and transmits the associated time zone information 17 and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device 5.

The configuration of item 2 above allows multiple pieces of operation information for the work machine 10 to be associated with time period information 17 for each specified time period and transmitted to the management device 5. Furthermore, the management device 5 can collectively receive multiple pieces of operation information for the work machine 10 for each specified time period and manage them in the database 6 or the like.

(Item 3) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in Item 2 above, the information processing device 1 acquires operation information of at least one of the work machine 10 and the electronic device 4 output from the electronic device 4 mounted on the work machine 10 to the first network 8, associates the operation information with time information (timestamp) 15 indicating the time when the existence of the operation information was confirmed, and stores the associated operation information in the storage device 2, and the communication control device 3 transmits the associated time period information 17 and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device 5 via a second network (public network) 9 external to the work machine 10.

With the configuration of item 3 above, the communication control device 3 can reference the time information 15 associated with the operation information of at least one of the work machine 10 and the electronic device 4 stored in the storage device 2, and reliably read out multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to a specific time period. It can then associate the multiple pieces of operation information with time period information 17 and reliably transmit them to the management device 5 via the second network 9.

(Item 4) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in Item 3 above, the communication control device 3 generates lower-level time information 18 indicating times that are included in a specified time period but are not indicated by the time period information, based on time information 15 corresponding to each of the multiple pieces of operation information for the specified time period, associates the lower-level time information 18 with each of the corresponding multiple pieces of operation information, and transmits the corresponding time period information 17, the multiple pieces of operation information, and the lower-level time information 18 to the management device 5.

With the configuration of item 4 above, multiple pieces of operation information for a specific time period on the work machine 10 are associated with common time period information 17 that indicates the specific time period, and lower-level time information 18, which has a smaller data capacity than the time information (time stamp) 15 corresponding to each of the multiple pieces of operation information, is associated with each of the corresponding multiple pieces of operation information, and this associated time period information 17, multiple pieces of operation information, and lower-level time information 18 are transmitted from the communication control device 3 to the management device 5. Therefore, compared to when multiple pieces of operation information are each associated with a time stamp 15 and transmitted to the management device 5, the data volume transmitted from the communication control device 3 to the management device 5 is reduced, communication time is shortened, and communication costs can be kept low. Furthermore, the management device 5 can identify the dates and times when the existence of multiple pieces of operation information was confirmed from the time period information 17 and lower-level time information 18, and manage the multiple pieces of operation information based on these dates and times as well.

(Item 5) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in items 3 or 4 above, the work machine 10 operation information management system 100 includes one or more electronic devices 4, and at least one of the electronic devices 4 and the information processing device 1 generates time information 15 and associates it with the operation information.

The configuration of item 5 above allows at least one of the electronic device 4 and the information processing device 1 to generate time information 15 indicating the date and time when the existence of operation information in the work machine 10 was confirmed, and the time information 15 can be reliably associated with the operation information.

(Item 6) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in any of Items 1 to 5 above, the communication control device 3 sets a predetermined time period in accordance with an event that occurs on the work machine 10, generates time period information 17 indicating the predetermined time period, reads multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to the predetermined time period related to the event from the storage device 2, associates them with the time period information 17, and transmits the associated time period information 17 and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device 5.

The configuration of item 6 above allows multiple pieces of operation information for a specified time period corresponding to an event that occurred on the work machine 10 to be transmitted collectively from the information processing device 1 to the management device 5 while associated with time period information 17 indicating the specified time period, thereby improving communication efficiency. Furthermore, multiple pieces of operation information for a specified time period corresponding to an event that occurred on the work machine 10 can be collectively managed by the management device 5.

(Item 7) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in Item 4 above, the work machine 10 operation information management system 100 includes a management device 5 that is provided outside the work machine 10 and in which a database 6 is constructed, and the management device 5 receives time zone information 17, multiple pieces of operation information, and multiple pieces of lower-level time information 18 that are transmitted in a correlated state by the communication control device 3, stores at least the multiple pieces of operation information in the database 6, and restores the time information 15 of the correlated multiple pieces of operation information based on the correlated time zone information 17 and multiple pieces of lower-level time information 18.

With the configuration of item 7 above, the management device 5 restores unique time information (timestamp) 15 for each of the multiple pieces of operation information. This allows the management device 5 or an external terminal device that receives the operation information from the management device 5 to handle the operation information based on the corresponding time information 15, thereby improving the reliability of the operation information.

(Item 8) In the work machine operation information management system 100 described in any of Items 1 to 7 above, the first network 8 is an in-vehicle network established on the work machine 10, which is a drivable work vehicle, and the second network 9 is a public network including the Internet.

The configuration of item 8 above allows the information processing device 1 to collect multiple records 14 containing operation information of the work machine 10 or electronic device 4 via the in-vehicle network 8 in a short time and at low cost, and store them in the storage device 2. The communication control device 3 also associates the multiple records 14 stored in the storage device 2 with time period information 17 (and lower-level time information 18) according to a specific time period, creates messages 16 and 19 containing these, and transmits these messages 16 and 19 to the management device 5 via the public network 9. This shortens the communication time for public communication of the messages 16 and 19, reduces communication costs, and improves communication efficiency.

The present invention has been described above, but the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing device 2 Storage device 3 Communication control device 4 Electronic device 5 Management device 8 In-vehicle network (first network)
9. Public Network (Second Network)
10 Work machine 14 Record (operation information)
15. Timestamp (time information)
17 Time zone information 18 Lower level time information 100 Work machine operation information management system

Claims (7)

an information processing device that acquires a plurality of pieces of operation information output to a first network established in the work machine and stores the information in a storage device;
a communication control device that transmits the operation information stored in the storage device to a management device;
Equipped with
The communication control device generates time zone information indicating a specified time period, associates the time zone information with multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to the specified time period read from the storage device, and transmits the associated time zone information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device. The work machine operation information management system described in claim 1, wherein the communication control device generates the time zone information for each of the predetermined time zones, associates multiple pieces of operation information with the time zone information, and transmits the associated time zone information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device. the information processing device acquires the operation information of at least one of the work machine and the electronic device output from the electronic device mounted on the work machine to the first network, associates the operation information with time information indicating the time when the existence of the operation information was confirmed, and stores the information in the storage device;
The work machine operation information management system according to claim 2, wherein the communication control device transmits the associated time zone information and the plurality of pieces of operation information to the management device via a second network external to the work machine. The work machine operation information management system described in claim 3, wherein the communication control device generates lower-level time information indicating times that are included in the specified time period but are not indicated by the time period information based on the time information corresponding to each of the multiple pieces of operation information for the specified time period, associates the lower-level time information with each of the corresponding multiple pieces of operation information, and transmits the corresponding time period information, the multiple pieces of operation information, and the lower-level time information to the management device. one or more of the electronic devices;
The operation information management system for a work machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the electronic device and the information processing device generates the time information and associates it with the operation information. A work machine operation information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication control device sets the predetermined time period in accordance with an event that occurs in the work machine, generates time period information indicating the predetermined time period, reads from the storage device multiple pieces of operation information corresponding to the predetermined time period related to the event, associates them with the time period information, and transmits the associated time period information and multiple pieces of operation information to the management device. The management device is provided outside the work machine and has a database built therein,
The management device
receiving the time zone information, the plurality of pieces of operation information, and the plurality of pieces of lower-level time information transmitted in a correlated state from the communication control device, and storing at least the plurality of pieces of operation information in the database;
The work machine operation information management system according to claim 4 , wherein the time information of the associated plurality of pieces of operation information is restored based on the associated time zone information and the plurality of pieces of lower-level time information.